Which of the following is a characteristic of potable water?

Potable water is defined as water that is safe for human consumption. One characteristic of potable water is that it has safe levels of contaminants, meaning it may still contain certain substances that are not harmful at specific concentrations. This contrasts with the option that suggests it should be free of all contaminants, which is unrealistic, as even natural water often contains some level of minerals and microbes. The key is that the levels of these contaminants must fall within established safety standards to ensure it is safe to drink.

The statement that potable water is murky and hard does not align with its characteristics, as clarity and taste are important aspects of drinking water. Additionally, the assertion that it contains no dissolved oxygen fails to acknowledge that dissolved oxygen is essential for aquatic life and can be present in safe drinking water. Thus, the defining feature of potable water is that it has safe levels of various contaminants, which allows it to be consumable without posing health risks.