What We Know About Water
Where does my drinking water come from?
The drinking water that is supplied to our homes comes from either surface water or ground water. Surface water collects in streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Ground water is water located below the ground where it collects in pores and spaces within rocks and in underground aquifers. We obtain ground water by drilling wells and pumping it to the surface. Public water systems provide water from surface and ground water for public use. This blog presents factual information about the water we drink and the benefits to us from drinking it.
What we know about drinking water
There is no “new” water: whether our source water is a stream, river, lake, spring, or well, we are using the same water the dinosaurs used millions of years ago.
The majority of Americans (almost 300 million people) get their tap water from public water systems. The other 15% receive water from private water systems not subject to government regulation.
Americans now use 127% more water than in 1950, and about 95% of the water entering our homes goes down the drain. The average American uses from 80 - 100 gallons of water per day.
Only 1% of all the world’s water can be used for drinking. Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty and therefore undrinkable, and 2% is locked in glaciers.
What we know about the water we drink
Tap water in most big cities must be disinfected, filtered to remove pathogens, and tested for cryptosporidium and giardia viruses. Bottled water does not have to be.
Bottled-water plants must test for coliform bacteria just once a week; city tap needs to be tested 100 or more times a month.
Most tap water contains fluoride, a salt compound that helps prevent cavities.
The EPA requires all community water systems in the U.S. to report drinking water quality systems to its customers annually. This includes details on where the water comes from, what contaminants have been found in the water, and potential health effects.
Some old water pipes still contain lead, a poisonous metal. Lead may cause a range of health effects including behavioral problems and learning disabilities. Children six years old and under are most at risk because this is when the brain is developing.
What my drinking water can do for me
Drinking plenty of water can help you lose weight. This is because water can increase satiety and boost your metabolic rate.
It protects your tissues, spinal cord, and joints. Water consumption helps lubricate and cushion your joints, spinal cord, and tissues.
Drinking water helps prevent infections. Drinking water boosts your immune system, it helps to carry oxygen to your cells to keep them functioning well and protects organs and tissues.
It flushes out toxins and gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTI’s (urinary tract infections).
It improves Skin Complexion carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells.
Drinking water aids digestion and helps to prevent constipation.
It normalizes blood pressure, stabilizes the heartbeat, regulates body temperature and maintains electrolyte (sodium) balance.
Highflow Water Systems can help you provide safe, pure and delicious drinking water to your family.
