Biochemical Potability of Drinking Water: A Review of Parameters, Health Risks, and Treatment Approaches

Author:

Ariba Shahab

Abstract:

Safe drinking water is essential for sustaining health and preventing disease. Biochemical potability refers to the suitability of water for consumption based on its chemical and microbial composition. This review discusses major biochemical factors influencing drinking water quality, including pH, nitrates, heavy metals, microbial content, and organic pollutants. It also compares internationally accepted limits with observed values in contaminated water sources. Furthermore, the paper explores health risks linked to unsafe water and examines available treatment technologies for purification. Ensuring biochemical potability is crucial for achieving public health targets, especially in rapidly urbanizing and industrializing regions such as South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The review integrates insights from chemistry, microbiology, and public health to provide a holistic understanding of water quality challenges and solutions. 

Keywords:

Biochemical potability, Contaminants, Drinking water, Heavy metals, Microbial load, Waterborne diseases, WHO standards, Water purification.