Potable Water
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 10.1.1
Potable Water
We need to drink water to stay alive. But, water is often found with other substances dissolved in it. These substances can be harmful so we treat water to make it potable (safe for human consumption).
Reduce concentrations of microbes
- To make water potable, we need to drastically reduce the number of microbes found in it.
Reduce concentrations of dissolved minerals and salts
- To make water potable, we need to reduce the concentrations of dissolved minerals and salts found in the water.
- We do not eradicate the minerals and salts from the water completely.
Potable does not mean 'chemically pure'
- If water is potable, it does not mean that it has to be chemically pure.
- Being chemically pure is defined as being made up of just H2O molecules.
Test yourself on Potable Water
What term describes water that is safe for human consumption?
Potable water contains a...
A glass of water is safe to drink but contains dissolved minerals and salts. Is this water chemically pure?
Why do we treat water to make it potable?
What happens to the concentration of dissolved minerals and salts when water is treated to make it potable?