Climate & Environment

Potable Water

Meaning statusEstablishedSource recordDirect document linkedWhy these are different

Definition

Potable water is water that is safe to drink and use for food preparation, meeting health-based quality standards for microbial, chemical and physical parameters, such as the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality and national standards derived from them. SDG 6 tracks "safely managed" drinking water: accessible on premises, available when needed and free from contamination.

References

WHOGuidelines for Drinking-water Quality

Supports definition and framing.

Overview

How it is used

The term anchors water utility regulation, public health surveillance, humanitarian response (SPHERE standards) and SDG monitoring through the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme.

Why it matters

Safe drinking water is among the highest-value public health investments known; universal potable access is a foundational sustainability goal on which health, education and equality all depend.