Which term refers to the quality of water important for both drinking and usability?

The term that refers specifically to the quality of water that is safe and suitable for drinking is "potable." Potable water meets the health standards set by authorities for consumption, which means it is free from harmful contaminants and pathogens. This quality is crucial as it directly impacts human health and safety.

In contrast, while the other terms have their own relevance, they don't specifically denote the safety of water for drinking purposes. For example, "palpable" relates more to something that can be felt or touched, rather than water quality. "Hygienic" refers to cleanliness and conditions that promote health, which is important but not exclusive to water safety. "Filtered" indicates a process that removes impurities from water but does not inherently guarantee that the water is safe for drinking. Therefore, "potable" is the most appropriate term to describe water that is safe for both consumption and general usability.