---
title: "Potable, wholesome water; function in body"
subject: "Water Supply Engineering"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_5/water_supply_engineering:define-potable-wholesome-function"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/water_supply_engineering/define-potable-wholesome-function
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Potable, wholesome water; function in body

Water Supply Engineering · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2075 Asoj, 2+2 marks
- Video: [protected water supply-class1b](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOaovJ_guj0) — shanthi raj
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/water_supply_engineering/define-potable-wholesome-function
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/water_supply_engineering/chapter-1

## Question

Define potable and wholesome water. Also describe the function of water in the human body.

## Short answer

Potable water is safe to drink, free from harmful organisms/chemicals; wholesome water is also clear, odourless, palatable, with minerals within desirable limits. In the body, water makes up 60-70% of body weight, transports nutrients and oxygen, aids digestion, removes wastes, regulates temperature, and lubricates joints.

## Answer

#### Potable water
Potable water is water that is safe to drink. It does not contain harmful organisms or chemicals in amounts that cause illness, although it may have slight taste, colour or odour problems.

#### Wholesome water
Wholesome water is potable water that is also pleasant to the senses (clear, colourless, odourless, palatable) and has minerals within the desirable limits, so it is suitable for all domestic uses.

#### Function of water in the human body
- Makes up about 60 to 70 percent of body weight; blood plasma is about 90 percent water.
- Dissolves and carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells.
- Helps digestion and absorption of food.
- Removes waste (urine, sweat) from the body.
- Regulates body temperature through sweating.
- Lubricates joints and protects organs and tissues.
- Keeps skin healthy and is the medium for all chemical reactions in cells.

An adult needs about 2 to 3 litres of drinking water daily; a loss of 10 percent of body water is serious and a loss of 20 percent can be fatal.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Potable water:
   A. Is always odourless
   B. Is safe to drink though may have slight taste, colour or odour problems
   C. Contains no minerals
   D. Is untreated river water
   Answer: B. Potable means safe to drink; aesthetic qualities may be imperfect. (Key point: Potable definition)

2. Water regulates body temperature mainly through:
   A. Digestion
   B. Lubrication
   C. Blood pressure
   D. Sweating
   Answer: D. Sweating cools the body and is how water regulates temperature. (Key point: Temperature regulation)

3. A loss of what fraction of body water can be fatal?
   A. 2 percent
   B. 5 percent
   C. 20 percent
   D. 1 percent
   Answer: C. 10 percent loss is serious and 20 percent can be fatal. (Key point: Water loss)

## Related in Water Supply Engineering

- [Potable, wholesome, polluted, contaminated water](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Apotable-wholesome-polluted-contaminated) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 1
- [Pure/impure, potable/wholesome, polluted/contaminated](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Adifferentiate-water-types) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 1
- [Polluted, contaminated water; function in body](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Adefine-polluted-contaminated-function) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 1
- [Objectives of supply; wholesome water requirements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Aobjectives-requirements-wholesome) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 1, asked 2×
- [Wholesome water and its requirements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Awholesome-water-requirements) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 1, asked 2×

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