9. What is portable water? Write its properties.

"Portable water," also known as potable water, is water that is safe and suitable for human consumption, meeting established quality standards and regulatory requirements. Portable water is essential for drinking, cooking, hygiene, and various domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes. It is obtained from freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes, groundwater, and treated municipal water supplies and must undergo treatment and purification to ensure its safety and quality. Some properties of portable water include:

1. Clarity: Portable water should be clear and free from visible suspended solids, sediments, turbidity, or cloudiness. Clear water indicates a lower likelihood of microbial contamination and provides aesthetic appeal.

2. Color: Portable water typically appears colorless or slightly tinted. Any unusual coloration, such as yellow, brown, or green hues, may indicate the presence of dissolved organic or inorganic substances and may require further investigation and treatment.

3. Taste and Odor: Portable water should have a neutral taste and odor, free from any unpleasant or objectionable smells, flavors, or chemical tastes. Foul odors or tastes may result from contamination with organic matter, algae, pollutants, or disinfection byproducts and may necessitate water treatment and remediation.

4. pH Balance: Portable water should have a pH level within the range of 6.5 to 8.5, indicating neutrality or slight alkalinity. pH levels outside this range may indicate water acidity or alkalinity, which can affect water quality, corrosion of pipes, and suitability for various uses.

5. Chemical Composition: Portable water should meet regulatory standards for chemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate), heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic), disinfection byproducts (chlorine, chloramines), pesticides, herbicides, and other contaminants. Chemical composition analysis ensures that portable water is safe for human consumption and complies with health guidelines and regulations.

6. Microbial Quality: Portable water should be microbiologically safe, free from harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites that can cause waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and gastroenteritis. Water treatment processes such as filtration, disinfection (chlorination, UV irradiation, ozone treatment), and microbial testing ensure microbial safety and prevent waterborne illnesses.

7. Physical Characteristics: Portable water should have stable physical properties such as density, viscosity, surface tension, and conductivity, which influence water behavior, flow, and interactions with contaminants and materials.

8. Compliance with Standards: Portable water must meet established drinking water quality standards, guidelines, and regulations set by national and international agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the European Union (EU). These standards ensure that portable water is safe, clean, and suitable for human consumption, protecting public health and well-being.

Overall, portable water should be of high quality, safe, and free from contaminants, ensuring its suitability for drinking and various domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses. Water quality monitoring, treatment, and regulatory oversight play crucial roles in ensuring the safety and availability of portable water for communities worldwide.