What is water that does not meet the standards of potable water referred to as?

Water that does not meet the standards of potable water is referred to as non-potable water. Non-potable water signifies that the water is not safe for human consumption or does not meet the health guidelines for drinking, cooking, and other uses that involve ingestion. This can include water that contains harmful contaminants, pathogens, or excessive levels of certain chemicals.

Understanding this classification is crucial, especially in fields like plumbing, where ensuring the safety of drinking water is a top priority. Non-potable water can still have various uses, such as irrigation, industrial applications, or sanitation, but it must be explicitly identified as such to prevent misuse or health hazards.

The other terms listed, while they may share some overlap in context, do not specifically denote water that fails to meet potable standards. Unsafe water often refers to any water that poses health risks but does not specifically identify its potability status. Contaminated water implies the presence of harmful substances but does not clarify whether it is recognized as non-potable. Waste water typically refers to water that has been used and contains pollutants from its use, which may not be directly related to potability status.