Criteria for wholesome water?
**Core Concept**
The concept of wholesome water refers to the quality and safety standards that water must meet to be considered fit for human consumption. Wholesome water should be free from contaminants, pathogens, and chemical pollutants that can cause harm to human health.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The criteria for wholesome water include parameters such as pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, bacteriological quality, and chemical contaminants. Water should have a pH between 6.5 and 8.5, turbidity of less than 1 NTU, and total dissolved solids of less than 500 mg/L. Bacteriological quality is assessed through the presence of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and E. coli. Chemical contaminants such as lead, mercury, and arsenic should be present in concentrations below the maximum allowable limits. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have established guidelines for wholesome water quality.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is likely incorrect because it does not specify any particular parameter for wholesome water quality. Without these parameters, it is difficult to determine whether the water meets the necessary standards.
**Option B:** This option might be incorrect because it implies that wholesome water has no limits on total dissolved solids, which is not the case. Total dissolved solids of less than 500 mg/L are generally considered acceptable.
**Option C:** This option is likely incorrect because it does not account for bacteriological quality or chemical contaminants, which are essential parameters for determining wholesome water.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
When evaluating the quality of water, it is essential to consider multiple parameters, including bacteriological, chemical, and physical characteristics. A simple pH test or turbidity measurement may not be sufficient to determine whether water is wholesome.
**Correct Answer: D.**