Clean water is one of the things every human needs to survive.
In fact, without clean water, your body could be in serious danger within a matter of days.
As water is such an important natural resource, it is vital to know which stuff is safe to drink and which stuff isn’t!
Let’s look into some fun facts about clean water, why it really matters to the human race and how you can make your drinking and bathing water as clean as possible.
Fun Facts About Water
Did you know these fun facts?
- Around 71% of the earth’s surface is covered in water, making water the most abundant resource in the world. A lot of this is ocean water though, so not all of that is safe to drink!
- Water is known as a “universal solvent” as it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid on Earth.
- Water is the only substance that can exist in three states under natural conditions - solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapour).
- The human body is made up of approximately 60% water.
- Water continuously cycles through the environment, so you could be drinking water containing the same molecules as the dinosaurs drank millions of years ago!
- About 70% of the Earth’s freshwater is locked in ice caps and glaciers, only a small fraction of that is available as liquid drinking water.
Why Clean Water Matters
Clean water is crucial to humans for several key reasons:
- Survival: Like we mentioned earlier, humans can only survive for around 3 days without water. So obviously, clean water is a vital resource!
- Health: Clean water is essential for drinking, cooking and bathing safely. Contaminated water can contain dangerous diseases that are a threat to your health. When you have access to clean water you reduce the risk of contracting these diseases, improving your overall health and wellbeing.
- Hygiene: Clean water is necessary for good hygiene practices like handwashing, showering, and general cleaning. Maintaining good sanitation can help to prevent the spread of germs and infectious diseases.
- Nutrition: When you are cooking, clean water is important for food preparation. If you don;t use clean water, your food could potentially be unsafe to consume, negatively impacting your nutrition and health.
- Food Production: Clean water is a vital part of successful food production. When used in agriculture, it ensures the end product is safe for human consumption.
Is All Drinking Water Clean?
There is a reason that town supply water has to be treated before it comes into your home. These are the contaminants that can enter your water from the environment:
- Microbes: Bacteria, viruses and parasites can all be present in your water. If left untreated, they can potentially lead to diseases like cholera, dysentery or giardia.
- Chemicals: Industrial and agricultural activities can introduce harmful chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals into water sources.
- Urban Runoff: Rainwater can pick up pollutants from urban areas, like oil and debris, then carry them into our water supplies.
- Aging Infrastructure: In lots of places throughout NZ, our pipes and infrastructure are aging. This could potentially lead to contaminants entering from leaks and breaks in the system.
- Pollution: Illegal dumping or improper disposal of rubbish can pollute our water sources.
So, while most town and tank supplies are perfectly safe to drink, they all contain a number of chemicals that have been added purely to negate the other nasties we just listed. These chemicals can impact the taste, odour and appearance of your water.
Why You Should Filter Your Water
While the water that comes out of the taps in your home is considered safe to drink, there could be a whole lot more than simply clean water in your glass or sink!
Installing a water filter system can significantly improve the quality of the water in your home. By passing the water through a series of filtration steps you can remove any contaminants that remain after the treatment of your town supply. It also clears up the quality of your water, making it cleaner, clearer and fresher to drinks.
Water filters are super easy to install and there is one for every living situation! Whether you are a homeowner, a renter, or mobile homer, there are filter options available for you. Here at Water Filters Online we stock a wide range of filters and their replacement cartridges. Browse our range online or contact our friendly team for advice about what filter is right for you.