What does the term "potable" refer to regarding water quality?

The term "potable" specifically refers to water that is safe for human consumption. This includes water that may contain certain levels of contaminants but is treated and managed to ensure that it meets health standards for drinking. The mention of a measurable chlorine residual is important as chlorine is often used as a disinfectant to kill harmful microorganisms, making the water safer to drink. Therefore, the correct understanding of "potable" encompasses the idea that it is suitable for drinking due to treatment processes, such as chlorination, that help ensure safety.

Other definitions might imply a broader or different set of qualities. For instance, stating that water must be free from all contaminants is overly strict and does not reflect the reality of drinking water standards, where trace amounts of certain substances can still be acceptable. Low mineral content might imply that it is suitable for specific needs, but not all low mineral waters are necessarily safe or treated for human consumption. Lastly, water that is merely filtered but not treated would not meet the safety standards needed to be classified as potable, as filtration alone does not eliminate all pathogens or harmful chemicals.