What term refers to water that is safe for human consumption and domestic use?

The term that specifically refers to water that is safe for human consumption and domestic use is potable water. This designation means that the water meets health-based standards and regulations, ensuring that it is free from harmful contaminants and pathogens that could pose a risk to human health. Potable water is suitable for drinking and preparing food, making it essential for public health and safety.

While purified water, drinking water, and clean water are terms related to water quality, they do not always carry the same regulatory implications as potable water. Purified water might refer to any water that has been treated to remove impurities but does not necessarily indicate it meets all safety standards for drinking. Drinking water generally refers to water that is intended for consumption, but again, it may not imply it is safe without proper context. Clean water can be a vague term that simply suggests the water is free from visible impurities, but it does not ensure it has been tested for safety according to established health standards. Thus, potable water is the most precise and widely accepted term for safe drinking water.