Drinking water (potable water)

Drinking water (potable water): this is a primary resource which maintains living things and is fundamental to human survival.

The legislation 31/2001, and subsequent modifications and integrations is the guiding norm in Italy and refers directly to the European directive 98/83/EC, which prescribes the analytical parameters to which water has to conform to be described as drinking water (or potable water).

This norm defines drinking water in the following way:

1. all water either in its original state or after treatment, intended for drinking, cooking, food preparation or other domestic purposes, regardless of its origin and whether it is supplied from a distribution network, from a tanker, or in bottles or containers;
   
   
2. all water used in any food-production undertaking for the manufacture, processing, preservation or marketing of products or substances intended for human consumption unless the competent national authorities are satisfied that the quality of the water cannot affect the wholesomeness of the foodstuff in its finished form.