Which of the following is a non-potable field water use?

• A. Drinking
• B. Cooking
• C. Irrigating crops
• D. Showering

Answer: (D)

Field water quality is chosen based on how the water will be used. Water used to irrigate crops is considered non-potable because it does not need to meet drinking-water standards; crops can tolerate minerals, salts, and certain contaminants, and the water isn’t consumed by people. The safety concerns for irrigation focus more on crop health, soil conditions, and potential impacts on downstream ecosystems, rather than direct human ingestion. In contrast, water used for drinking and cooking must meet drinking-water standards to protect human health, and showering typically uses water treated to potable quality to avoid skin exposure and ingestion risks. So, irrigating crops is the non-potable field water use.