The expression refers to water that, whether treated or not, can be drunk, used for the preparation of food and beverages or for other domestic uses, whether it is supplied through a distribution network, by means of tanks, in bottles or containers.
Water intended for human consumption is also used by a food company for the manufacture, treatment, storage or sales of foods or products intended for consumption by the population.
The water intended for human consumption must be healthy, clean, must not contain microorganisms and parasites, or other substances in quantities or concentrations such as to represent a potential danger to human health, according to Legislative Decree 31/2001 (Implementation of Directive 98 / 83 / EC).
This decree provides that the characteristics of a water are defined by the satisfaction of 54 parameters: 2 “microbiological”, 28 “chemical” (undesirable and toxic elements, for which mandatory concentration limits are set), 21 “indicators” (elements for which recommended values are established that should not exceed) and 3 of “radioactivity”.