raw water

American  

[raw waw-ter, wot-er] / ˈrɔ ˈwɔ tər, ˈwɒt ər /

noun

1. untreated, unfiltered water from the ground, lakes, rivers, etc.: raw water collected from springs has been bottled and marketed as the most natural, healthy drinking water, but there is concern among water testers and health officials over the potential presence of dangerous bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

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Etymology

Origin of raw water

First recorded in 2000–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

raw water

The reserve has experienced 16 major equipment failures since 2013, including of raw water and brine disposal piping.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

Importantly, raw water is not necessarily free from lead, arsenic, pesticides or industrial contaminants.

From Salon ● Jan. 27, 2025

"The water treatment works that extract water from Lough Neagh are designed for the removal of algae that may be present in the raw water," it said.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2024

Any heavy metals in raw water, they say, are removed by treatment processes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 2, 2023

They also show that this turbidity may be easily and certainly removed by the application of coagulant to the raw water during the occasional periods when its character is such as to require it.

From Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, vol. LXXII, June, 1911 Water Purification Plant, Washington, D. C. Results of Operation. by E. D. Hardy