Understanding what makes water safe to drink—and how experts test it.
This concise volume explains the essential qualities of potable water, how it can be obtained, and what chemical, bacterial, and microscopical tests reveal about its quality. It also discusses why pure water matters for public health and how water quality relates to disease control.
Designed for a broad audience, this edition offers practical guidance for engineers, health officials, and curious readers who want a clear, non-technical overview of water safety, testing methods, and the evolving standards that shape public water supplies.
- Clear definitions of potable water and the factors that threaten its safety
- How drinking water is secured, including treatment concepts and system considerations
- Practical explanations of chemical, bacterial, and microscopic testing and what the results mean
- Discussion of the links between water quality and disease, with historical examples
Ideal for students, water-works personnel, health professionals, and citizens who want to understand drinking water without heavy technical detail.