2.1  Water for human consumption

Water for human consumption must be palatable and safe. Palatable water is pleasant to drink, meaning it is completely clear and free from tastes, odours and colours. Safe drinking water, also known as potable water, is defined as water that does not contain harmful or potentially harmful substances and does not present any risk to human health. Harmful substances can be in the form of micro-organisms or chemicals. Unsafe water is a cause of bad health for people of all age groups. There are, however, some groups of people who are at greater risk. These include infants and young children, older people and people who are debilitated by diseases (such as HIV/AIDS).

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 2

2.1.1  Importance of water for human health