Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Class C Water License Exam

What is an essential quality of water for it to be considered potable?

1. High turbidity

2. Presence of coliform bacteria

3. Free from harmful contaminants

4. High mineral content

The correct answer is: Free from harmful contaminants

For water to be classified as potable, it must be free from harmful contaminants. This includes not only pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites but also chemical pollutants and toxic substances that could pose a risk to human health. Potable water meets specific quality standards that ensure safety for drinking and other domestic uses. High turbidity, the presence of coliform bacteria, or high mineral content would all indicate potential issues with water quality. Turbidity can obscure the visibility of pollutants and pathogens, thus indicating that the water may not be safe to drink. Coliform bacteria are commonly used as an indicator of possible contamination from fecal matter, which can include harmful pathogens. While some minerals are beneficial, excessively high mineral content can lead to water that is not suitable for consumption due to taste, health issues, or scale buildup in plumbing systems. Therefore, the presence of harmful contaminants in any form will compromise the potability of water, making the importance of being free from such contaminants the definitive quality for water considered safe for drinking.