Potable water is :

Question

Potable water is :

Accepted Answer

Potable water is defined as water that is safe to drink or use for food preparation. It is free from impurities and contaminants that could pose a health risk to humans. Let's explore why Option 1 is the correct answer and why the other options are incorrect:

1. **Option 1: Free from impurities**  
   Potable water must be free from impurities to ensure it is safe for human consumption. Impurities can include harmful microorganisms, chemicals, and physical contaminants that can cause illness or adverse health effects. Water treatment processes such as filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection are employed to remove these impurities, making the water potable. Therefore, Option 1 is correct because potable water must be devoid of impurities to be considered safe for drinking.

2. **Option 2: Mixing of dust in water**  
   Dust in water is considered a physical impurity. The presence of dust can make water turbid and potentially introduce harmful microorganisms or chemicals attached to the dust particles. Therefore, water with dust is not considered potable, as it is not free from impurities. This makes Option 2 incorrect.

3. **Option 3: Addition of animal excreta**  
   Animal excreta in water is a significant source of contamination, introducing harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause serious diseases. Potable water must be free from such biological contaminants to ensure it is safe for human consumption. Thus, Option 3 is incorrect because the presence of animal excreta makes water non-potable.

4. **Option 4: Presence of salts**  
   While some salts are naturally present in water, excessive amounts can make water unsafe or unpleasant to drink. High levels of certain salts, such as nitrates or heavy metals, can pose health risks. Potable water should have balanced mineral content and be free from harmful levels of salts. Therefore, Option 4 is incorrect because the presence of excessive or harmful salts indicates impurities, making the water non-potable.

In conclusion, Option 1 is the correct answer because potable water must be free from impurities to ensure it is safe and suitable for human consumption.