What is a permissible use for non-potable water?

Non-potable water is water that is not safe for drinking but may have certain permissible uses that do not require potable quality. One acceptable use for non-potable water is in fire sprinkler systems. This is appropriate because fire suppression systems utilize water primarily for fire control and do not require the water to have drinking quality.

Using non-potable water for applications such as cooking food, washing dishes, or drinking poses health risks as it may contain contaminants that could lead to foodborne illnesses or other health issues. Therefore, the use of non-potable water is strictly regulated to ensure safety in contexts where it will not come into direct contact with consumables or be ingested by humans.