DRINKING WATER

A term used synonymously with Potable Water, and refers to water that meets federal drinking water standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) (Public Law 93-523) as well as state and local water quality standards and is considered safe for human consumption. Freshwater that exceeds established standards for chloride content and dissolved solids limits is often referred to as slightly saline, brackish, or nonpotable water and is either diluted with fresher water or treated through a desalination process to meet drinking-water standards for public supply.