| Water (H20) is the most important substance to | | | | or taken out of it. |
| humans and it is essential for the survival of every | | | | Unfortunately, the rest of the world is not so lucky. |
| cell and organism in the body. We cannot live without | | | | When setting parameters for the quality of drinking |
| it for longer than a couple of days, unlike food which | | | | water, there are two testing categories. These are |
| the body can survive without for many weeks. | | | | microbiological and chemical/physical. Microbiological |
| About 70 percent of our body mass consists of H20. | | | | parameters include E.coli, Coliform, bacteria such as |
| To be sure that the quality is good, drinking water | | | | Vibrio cholerae which causes cholera, protozoan |
| analysis is often necessary. | | | | parasites and viruses. |
| It is a vital part of the metabolic process and acts as | | | | Chemical/physical parameters include organic |
| a solvent for numerous body solutes. Health care | | | | compounds, turbidity, TSS (Total Suspended Solids) |
| professionals all over the world agree that a person | | | | and heavy metals. Chemicals pose more health risks |
| needs at least 8 glasses (168 ml per glass) of this | | | | because the metals build up in the body over time, |
| life-giving liquid every day. The daily amount | | | | although certain components such as arsenic, nitrates |
| recommended by the British Dietetic Association is 1.8 | | | | and nitrites have a more immediate effect. |
| liters, while the USA's Environmental Protection | | | | Physical parameters are elements that affect the |
| Agency recommends 2 liters a day. | | | | color and taste of H20. After rigorous tests, the level |
| H20 is a colorless, odorless and tasteless substance | | | | of toxicity, mineral content and bacteria content can |
| that is part of our natural environment. Most of it | | | | be established. Testing can be conducted by |
| requires some form of treatment to make it | | | | government and civilian organizations or |
| drinkable, even if it is sourced from springs and deep | | | | environmentalists. Homeowners can also do it with |
| underground wells. The extent of treatment is | | | | self-testing kits. |
| determined by its source. | | | | If your supply comes from a sophisticated |
| There are only a few areas in the world where | | | | metropolitan municipality, drinking water analysis |
| water does not require treatment. One of these is | | | | should not be necessary. However, if you live in a |
| the city of Christchurch in New Zealand. It has been | | | | rural area where you obtain your H20 from a spring |
| rated as the cleanest and purest supply in the world. | | | | or a well, it is recommended. If it contains dangerous |
| It is naturally filtered from aquifers (bodies of rock) | | | | pollutants, it would be advisable to purchase a |
| that emanate from the Southern Alps and is pumped | | | | filtration system. |
| through 50 stations to the city. Nothing is added to it | | | | |