上水(じょうすい)

Refers to clean, treated water for human consumption, as opposed to 下水(げすい) (sewage/wastewater). Composed of 上(じょう) (upper/above) + 水(すい) (water). The character 上(じょう) indicates clean/good water, while 下(げ) in 下水(げすい) indicates waste.

Common collocations

• 上水道(じょうすいどう): water supply system/waterworks
• 上水(じょうすい)の水質(すいしつ): water supply quality
• 上水(じょうすい)処理(しょり): water treatment

Related words

• 下水(げすい): sewage, wastewater — the counterpart to 上水(じょうすい)
• 下水道(げすいどう): sewage system
• 水道(すいどう): water supply, plumbing — the general term for tap water infrastructure

Similar words

• 水道水(すいどうすい): tap water — the everyday word for water from the tap
• 飲料水(いんりょうすい): drinking water — water safe for drinking

Etymology

The term 上水(じょうすい) has historical roots in Edo-period water supply systems, such as the famous 玉川上水(たまがわじょうすい) (Tamagawa Aqueduct) built in 1653 to supply water to Edo (Tokyo).