Have you ever wondered what our lives would be without access to clean water? It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that we wouldn't survive for long since water is essential for life. Moreover, water impacts every area of our life; most importantly, our health and livelihood.
Here are some areas where water impacts our life:
1. We have food on our table because of access to water.
We mostly depend upon agriculture for livelihood, and a majority of our crops rely on rain for growth. Without water, there would be no livestock and fishing concept, and hence no food on our tables.
2. Water is vital for good hygiene.
Water helps kill germs that have the potential to cause many gastrointestinal diseases. Good hygiene demands both access to safe water to drink and clean water to wash our hands. Frequent handwashing promises good hygiene which is the key to preventing diseases and infections.
3. Water is important for learning, growth, and livelihood.
We can live a socially and functionally active life because of access to clean water. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), one of the leading causes of illnesses today is poor sanitation and hygiene due to lack of access to clean water. In areas where there is no safe water to drink nearby, children and adults have to walk a large distance to fetch water. This wastes a lot of time that could have been better utilized to earn a livelihood and attend schools. If clean water becomes available to the poor communities, they would be having better chances to build a bright future for themselves and their future generations. We can better learn and grow in our community only if we have water security.
4. Access to clean water prevents major infections.
The major issue that we face with water in the majority of areas is contaminated water supply. The water available is not safe to drink, making us vulnerable to a multitude of infections. The excess of germs, pollutants, and salts because of anthropogenic activities, deteriorates the quality of water that needs proper monitoring. The most common disease attributed to drinking unclean water is diarrhea.
Many of us don't pay attention to the quality of the water we drink, which is a crucial aspect of our health. It is important to find out whether the water we intake every day is safe water to drink or not.
5. Water is essential for the normal functioning of our bodies.
Water makes up more than 50 percent of our body weight and is vital for normal body functioning. Keeping hydrated maintains our body temperature and metabolism. Drinking inadequate water can cause dehydration and muscle weakness. It is therefore recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water every day. Since water has to flow through our vital organs, it should be free of contamination. Water protects our tissues, joints, and spinal cord which keeps us physically active. Keeping well, hydrated improves our cognitive functioning. Water enables us to excrete our body waste through urination, defecation, and perspiration. Drinking clean water keeps our kidneys healthy and prevents the chances of having kidney stones. Water boosts our metabolism and hence our energy levels. There are certain standards defined by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) that decide whether the water we consume is safe to drink or not.
Which water is better for safe drinking?
People rely on safe drinking water for washing hands, cooking, drinking, bathing, and laundry. When it comes to choosing drinking water, some people prefer bottled water, and some go for tap water. Each has its pros and cons that depend on several factors such as environmental impact, cost, safety, availability, and taste. In the U.S, the drinking water is, fortunately, one of the safest in the world. The tap water there is more subject to testing than the bottled water. Moreover, the safety of tap water is improved by filtering with carbon filters.
Pros of Tap water:
Tap water is simply the water that comes out of a water faucet, the supply of which is controlled by government authority. Tap water is considered safe and suitable for all activities like cooking, washing clothes, and cleaning. The best part is that tap water is both free and easily accessible to everyone. No disposable or plastic packaging of tap water is involved, which means it has little impact on the health of the environment.
Cons of Tap water:
Tap water is considered a safe water source, but there are certain areas where it is prone to contamination. Some studies indicate that minerals like fluoride and chlorine are found added to the public supply of water. Fluoride is added to prevent tooth decay. We are not sure about the concentration of minerals in tap water, a little amount does no harm, but a large concentration can threaten our health. We can conclude that there is a certain risk associated with the consumption of tap water.
Pros of Bottled water:
Bottle water is purified water that can be bought conveniently from any good brand. Bottled water is a safe source of drinking water. It is also easy to access. Some people prefer bottled water for its taste. Certain brands sell flavored water which is becoming popular. However, some bottled water brands admit that their water is mere filtered tap water.
Cons of Bottled water:
Bottled water is not free, like tap water. The price varies depending on the brand one prefers. Another concern is microplastic contamination in some water brands due to packaging. Microplastics come in the category of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have implications in human health, especially human metabolism and reproduction. The overall impact of microplastics on human health is under investigation. However, people with weak immune systems should think twice about their choice of drinking water.
The major disadvantage of bottled water is the impact on environmental health. The after-use disposal of water bottles litters streets and makes its way to landfills and water bodies. These bottles upon degradation release toxins in the environment. According to a study, only 10 percent of plastic water bottles get recycled whereas the remaining 90 percent ends up contaminating the environment. The plastic bottles if end up in water bodies, can harm not only the water quality but also poison the wildlife. The cost of water bottle creation is also wasteful. Almost three liters of water are required to produce one liter of bottled water.
Bottom line
Every aspect of our lives is adversely affected by a lack of access to clean water. Furthermore, unsafe water has given birth to a lot of illnesses. It is speculated that half the hospitals in the world would be empty if there were access to clean water for everyone. Water has innumerable implications for human and environmental health. Where there is safe water, there is more prosperity, better livelihood, and improved quality of life. Choosing a safe drinking water source is crucial for our health. Both tap water and bottled water are good drinking water options. However, considering the environmental impacts, tap water does less harm to the environment than bottled water. The quality of drinking water should be frequently monitored for safe consumption.
About the Creator
Longpunch
Author, animal lover, music artist and just a human being that wants to be treated as such and like every other writer to get my stories out to the masses so please read me.
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