Which type of water is considered satisfactory for drinking and free from objectionable substances?

Potable water is defined as water that is safe for human consumption, meeting health standards free from objectionable substances that could harm health. It must comply with various regulatory standards set by health and environmental authorities, ensuring that it is microbiologically, chemically, and radiologically safe.

While distilled water is free from contaminants and impurities due to the distillation process, it is not always considered potable because it lacks essential minerals that are beneficial for health. Spring water, although it may come from a natural source, is not guaranteed to meet the necessary safety standards without treatment and testing. Tap water is often potable depending on local water treatment practices, but it can sometimes contain contaminants that make it objectionable or unsafe without proper treatment. Therefore, the term "potable water" specifically addresses the quality and safety standards required for drinking water, making it the best choice to describe water that is satisfactory for drinking and free from objectionable substances.