non-potable
Unsafe for drinking
Non-potable describes water or other liquids that are unsafe for drinking.
The term appears on signs, tanks, and fixtures to warn against consumption: non-potable water, for non-potable use only.
Water may be non-potable due to contamination, lack of treatment, or industrial additives—even if it looks clean.
Unsafe for consumption
- impureNot wholly clean
- taintedContaminated, made impure
- pollutedMade impure by contaminants
- adulteratedDiluted with inferior substances
fouled · dirty · murky · turbid · stagnant · brackish · sewage · runoff
Capable of causing harm
- unsafeLikely to cause harm
- poisonousCapable of causing death
- harmfulCausing damage or injury
- dangerousApt to cause harm
noxious · corrosive · industrial waste · heavy metals · lead · arsenic · mercury · pesticides
Not suited for purpose
- greywaterLight household wastewater
- blackwaterToilet waste or tannin-stained swamp
- reclaimedTaken back; salvaged
- recycled waterWastewater treated for reuse
irrigation water · industrial use · cooling water · fire suppression · toilet flushing · saline · brine · hard water
Likely to cause harm
- infectiousAble to spread disease
- parasiticExploiting a host organism
- pathogenicCausing disease
- choleraBacterial disease causing fatal dehydration
dysentery · typhoid · giardia · cryptosporidium · hepatitis · gastroenteritis · waterborne illness · amoebic
undrinkable
Unsafe for consumption
adulterated · fouled · dirty · murky · turbid · stagnant · brackish · sewage · runoff · effluent
toxic
Capable of causing harm
dangerous · noxious · corrosive · industrial waste · heavy metals · lead · arsenic · mercury · pesticides · herbicides
unfit
Not suited for purpose
- greywaterLight household wastewater
- blackwaterToilet waste or tannin-stained swamp
- reclaimedTaken back; salvaged
recycled water · irrigation water · industrial use · cooling water · fire suppression · toilet flushing · saline · brine · hard water · mineral-rich
unsafe
Likely to cause harm
- infectiousAble to spread disease
- parasiticExploiting a host organism
- pathogenicCausing disease
cholera · dysentery · typhoid · giardia · cryptosporidium · hepatitis · gastroenteritis · waterborne illness · amoebic · viral