Why do we call it raw water?

[msauntry]

As in "raw water cooling." Any guesses, folks? Come on, I know this is the right group to come up with an answer!

How long has this term been around?

[hanleyclifford]

When you look at some of the stuff that comes up from that thru hull you sure couldn't call it "refined" or "fresh" (think Waccamaw River) - I guess we call it "raw" because you could be getting anything. Actually, we all use "raw" water even if we have "fresh" water cooling (another misnomer), unless we use a keelcooler.

[romantic comedy]

Raw water is a term that includes water found in the environment. It is also used in water treatment. raw water is what gets treated.

[marthur]

you sure couldn't call it "refined" or "fresh"

Speak for yourself! Here on the Great Lakes we drink our lake water with surprisingly little processing. I know in the less populated areas (North half of Michigan and Huron, most of Superior) people drink lake water with only filtering.

Bragging over, back to work....

[wsulli]

Here in NJ one must filter their tap water or it smells and tastes like dead fish or worse. For the past 38 years I drink only bottled water which I pass through a Mavia filter.