Drinking water or potable water is water that is safe for ingestion, either when drunk directly in liquid form or consumed indirectly through food preparation. (wikipedia.org)
In sub-Saharan Africa, access to potable water ranged from 40% to 80% of the population. (wikipedia.org)
Potable water is available in almost all populated areas of the Earth, although it may be expensive and the supply may not always be sustainable. (wikipedia.org)
There are a variety of trace elements present in virtually all potable water, some of which play a role in metabolism. (wikipedia.org)
However, the National Institute of Medicine has set an Adequate Intake (AI) level for total water and total beverages. (healthline.com)
Thirst4
The common advice to drink 8 glasses (1,900 mL or 64 US fl oz) of plain water per day is not based on science, and an individual's thirst provides a better guide for how much water they require rather than a specific, fixed quantity. (wikipedia.org)
Physical exercise and heat exposure cause loss of water and therefore may induce thirst and greater water intake. (wikipedia.org)
Water needs vary by individual, and you should let thirst guide your intake. (healthline.com)
Taps2
Nearly 4.2 billion people worldwide had access to tap water, while another 2.4 billion had access to wells or public taps. (wikipedia.org)
They are imitations since for the most part they are drawn from water taps rather than from mountain springs. (swarthmore.edu)
Minerals4
Inorganic minerals generally enter surface water and ground water via storm water runoff or through the Earth's crust. (wikipedia.org)
So, manufacturers of bottled water must add minerals after purifying the water in order to make it taste better. (swarthmore.edu)
On the label of one bottled water, we read that the water it delivers "is filtered for purity, using state of the art treatment by reverse osmosis, and enhanced with minerals for pure fresh taste. (swarthmore.edu)
For this reason, RO systems should also add minerals back into the drinkingwater, both to avoid corrosion and gain the health benefit. (ny.gov)
Dehydration2
Authorities on health all advise us that we must drink at least eight servings of 8-oz. cup of water everyday in order to avoid dehydration and remain healthy. (swarthmore.edu)
The amount of drinkingwater required to maintain good health varies, and depends on physical activity level, age, health-related issues, and environmental conditions. (wikipedia.org)
Although more research is needed, there is some evidence that increasing water consumption may help prevent recurrence of kidney stones in people with a tendency to form them ( 13 , 14 ). (healthline.com)
Sodium12
For example, sodium, potassium and chloride are common chemicals found in small quantities in most waters, and these elements play a role in body metabolism. (wikipedia.org)
When salt (also known as table salt or rock salt) dissolves in water, it forms sodium and chloride. (ny.gov)
Sodium and chloride occur naturally in groundwater, but levels can increase from road salt, water softeners, natural salt deposits, sewage and fertilizers. (ny.gov)
While there is no drinkingwater standard for sodium, state and federal agencies recommend sodium levels in water not exceed 20 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for people on very low sodium diets and 270 mg/L for people on moderately restricted sodium diets. (ny.gov)
Sodium in drinkingwater is a more serious concern if you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, or certain heart, kidney or liver diseases. (ny.gov)
You should talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about sodium levels in your drinkingwater and how they can affect your health. (ny.gov)
If you are on public water , your water supplier tests regularly for sodium, chloride and many other chemicals. (ny.gov)
If you have a private well , the State Health Department recommends that you test your water at the tap at least once a year for bacteria and every 3-5 years for sodium, lead, nitrate/nitrite, arsenic, iron/manganese, turbidity, pH, hardness and alkalinity. (ny.gov)
If sodium levels are moderately high (about 100 mg/L) a small treatment unit at the kitchen tap called a "point of use filter" may be enough for drinking and cooking. (ny.gov)
Metabolism2
Water generated from the biochemical metabolism of nutrients provides a significant proportion of the daily water requirements for some arthropods and desert animals, but provides only a small fraction of a human's necessary intake. (wikipedia.org)
Some water is also created within your body through metabolism. (healthline.com)
Quantities1
While there are certainly circumstances in which water needs increase, healthy people generally don't need to be consuming water in such large quantities. (healthline.com)
Wells1
These shallow wells are more likely to be influenced by surface waters. (ny.gov)
Gallon3
That makes the total of 64 oz. or one gallon, and tea, coffee, and soft drinks don't count. (swarthmore.edu)
If I spend one hot day out in the sun to get a deep tan, I perspire a lot and may end up drinking something close to a gallon -- just maybe. (swarthmore.edu)
A system that delivers five gallons of treated water per day may discharge many more gallons in waste water, adding to the load on a septic system. (ny.gov)
However, a growing body of research suggests that this broad recommendation may actually be too much water for some people and not enough for others. (healthline.com)
People who don't get much water from foods need to drink more than those who eat more water-rich foods. (healthline.com)
In dehydrated people, water may help relieve headache symptoms ( 10 , 11 ). (healthline.com)
In people who are dehydrated, drinking enough water may help prevent and relieve constipation. (healthline.com)
Health4
The World Health Organization considers access to safe drinking-water a basic human right. (wikipedia.org)
The drinkingwater standard for chloride is a maximum level of 250 mg/L. This standard is based on taste considerations, rather than health concerns. (ny.gov)
Contact the local health department or New York State Department of Health District office in your county to discuss test results, treatment, alternate water sources, and health concerns. (ny.gov)
Lastly, small amounts of water are produced within your body when you metabolize nutrients. (healthline.com)
Depends1
How much water you get from food depends on the amount of water-rich foods you eat. (healthline.com)
Quality3
Typically in developed countries, tap water meets drinkingwater quality standards, even though only a small proportion is actually consumed or used in food preparation. (wikipedia.org)
Third world countries are most affected by lack of water, flooding, and water quality. (wikipedia.org)
According to a report by UNICEF and UNESCO, Finland has the best drinkingwater quality in the world. (wikipedia.org)
Water covers approximately 70% of the Earth's surface, where approximately 97.2% of it is saline, and only 2.8% fresh. (wikipedia.org)
Weight1
But to a non-drinker like myself, it is amusing to watch how they willingly carry around the extra weight of a water bottle in their backpack or tote, or, even more comically, how they try to maneuver it in their two hands already busy with a CD player, a cellphone, and an apple or a sandwich halfway in the process of being eaten -- while walking at that. (swarthmore.edu)
Prevent1
There is a metal shield over the drinking spout to prevent drinkers from putting their mouth over it. (swarthmore.edu)
Other typical uses for tap water include washing, toilets, and irrigation. (wikipedia.org)
On a typical day, I drink not much more than one pint of water. (swarthmore.edu)
Content2
Fruits and vegetables are particularly rich in water, and foods like meat, fish, and eggs also have a relatively high water content. (healthline.com)
Losing only 2% of your body's water content during exercise may increase fatigue and reduce motivation ( 9 ). (healthline.com)
Company1
They may recommend that you work with a company that specializes in water treatment to learn more about your water chemistry, treatment options and cost. (ny.gov)
Public1
it has been reported, credibly, that the handle of a public drinking fountain holds more germs than the public toilet seat. (swarthmore.edu)
Many of the foods you eat also contain significant amounts of water. (healthline.com)
Work1
Recent work showed that the most important driver of water turnover which is closely linked to water requirements is energy expenditure. (wikipedia.org)