Potable Vs Non-Potable Water: Differences & Uses

Our tankers are mostly associated with taking things away – usually liquid waste of some kind, whether that be the contents of a full septic tank, an oil interceptor or even liquid food waste.

But we also use our tankers to deliver water for those who are not on the water mains, who have had their supply interrupted or contaminated, or perhaps are holding a special event and in need of their own special supply. The water we deliver will always be labelled as either ‘potable’ or ‘non-potable’.

So what’s the difference between the two? The AA Turner Tankers team is here to answer all your questions.

What is potable water?

Potable water is essentially tap water, in that it is safe to drink or use in food preparation. The word comes from the Latin verb ‘potare’, which means ‘to drink’. When potable water is delivered in a tanker, strict procedures need to be followed to ensure the water is not contaminated in any way.

What is non-potable water?

If potable water is safe to drink, then it follows that ‘non-potable’ water is not fit for human consumption and doesn’t meet the strict criteria that are required for it to be labelled as such. Examples include rainwater, recycled water, floodwater and greywater (such as the runoff from doing laundry or having a shower).

What is potable water used for?

One of the main uses of potable water is as everyday drinking water. However, it should also be used when there’s even just a possibility of it being ingested, such as for hand washing, showers, swimming pools, cooking and washing food, or doing the washing-up.

What is non-potable water used for?

It naturally costs more to use treated water, so non-potable water is a more cost-effective solution for many industrial and agricultural applications where, under normal circumstances, there would be no chance of it being accidentally consumed by people. At home, non-potable water can be used for flushing toilets, washing cars, doing laundry or general cleaning purposes.

To discover more reasons why you might need bulk potable or non-potable water, read our earlier blog entitled 9 Reasons for Needing Bulk Water Delivery.

If you’re ordering a bulk water delivery from us, it’s important that you specify what you’ll be using it for. That will ensure that we’ll deliver the water that works best, is safest or represents the best value for you.

What are the hazards of consuming non-potable water

There are many serious health risks associated with drinking water that has not been properly treated. This includes gastrointestinal conditions associated with vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pains. At its worst, contaminated water can be the cause of such serious diseases as cholera and dysentery.

Here at AA Turner Tankers, our water tankers deliver potable and non-potable water to customers across Essex and Suffolk, including in and around Colchester. Whether you need a water delivery for a one-off situation or event, or as an ongoing arrangement, we can help. And if you need your water at short notice, our emergency water tankers hold up to 30,000 litres, so you won’t be left high and dry without the water you need.  

Get in touch with us now to find out more or to get a competitive quote.