Blog Details
28
Aug
The Drink of life.
Water is scarce on the planet. Parts of the world are experiencing a growing shortage of this vital resource due to an ever-increasing population. Even in areas where water is plentiful, freshwater quality is poor, leading to health problems for those who drink it.
Since ancient times, humankind has known the importance of water quality. It is a key part of ancient religions around the world. It is rare to describe hell or heaven without giving details about the water available. In the heavenly realms, water is described as sweet and nourishing. However, it is depicted as a scalding liquid in hellish regions. There are many areas on the planet where water is unpleasant to drink and is full of harmful bacteria or chemicals. Quality and quantity of water are important indicators of the quality of life in different areas of the planet.
The oceans, which cover a large portion of the Earth’s land surface, are the largest reservoirs on Earth of water. Ocean water is not safe to drink due to its high salt content. Even severely dehydrated people cannot drink seawater. Seawater is not suitable for drinking, even if it temporarily quenches thirst. Water that evaporates from the oceans’ surface forms clouds. These clouds condense over land masses, resulting in rain, hail, and snow. These rains and snow are the main sources of natural freshwater. Some of this water flows back to the oceans through rivers. Some water percolates into the ground, creating underground rivers and reservoirs. Some snow remains frozen in the Polar Regions or on mountaintops for long periods. The snow on the tops of mountains melts slowly in the summer months to supply rivers with water through dry months.
A small fraction (less than 1%) of the water available on Earth is suitable for drinking and farming. However, pollution has been caused by human, animal, and industrial activities. Water needs to be treated to improve its quality. The River Jamuna that flows through Delhi is a mass odorless and filthy froth when this article was written.
Water dissolves everything it comes into contact with. In glass water, a spoonful of salt will quickly dissolve. We cannot see the metal pieces dissolve in water, such as copper or silver. However, the microscopic parts of these metals also dissolve. This is a good thing, as if more metals, such as copper, were to dissolve, the water could become toxic. Different materials are different in their water solubility. This is a great lesson from nature. Materials found in nature and could prove to be toxic to living creatures have a low level of solubility when dissolved in water. Modern times have seen the increasing use of chemical compounds made by man. Many of these chemicals dissolve quickly in water. Many are dangerous. Many are harmful. It may not have fatal consequences if the contamination isn’t severe, but it can cause lower vitality and health levels for those who consume it.
Water treatment can improve the quality of your water. Treatment can be as straightforward as boiling or mechanical filtration. Modern science has developed more advanced methods for purifying water, including chlorination and oxygenation, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and ultra-violet radiation. Water can be made completely pure by distillation. The purest water may not be the best or most healthy. Water with beneficial minerals enhances its taste and nourishes your body.
Two broad categories are used to classify freshwater: surface water and groundwater. Surface water is water found in rivers, lakes, snow, and ice. Groundwater is water that has percolated beneath the surface of the Earth. Groundwater can flow like a river or remain stationary in bodies like lakes. A water source that has reached the Earth’s surface in one place may also be an underground spring in another. Water from the surface is often not very mineral-rich and soft. Surface water can be contaminated by animal wastes, industrial chemicals, and wastes. Even mountain streams can contain harmful bacteria that wild animals’ feces have contaminated. To eliminate this risk, it is recommended that you boil or disinfect the water with chemical means. Cholera epidemics have occurred in India’s Himalayan region. Outsiders have had to be inoculated at times.
Groundwater may also contain contaminants that are present in surface water. Groundwater is generally safer than surface water. Groundwater has higher dissolved mineral content. Groundwater can also contain minerals other than common salt. Groundwater can contain calcium and magnesium. This water is called hard. Hard water is generally more difficult to wash and cook than soft water. The water might be unsafe to drink, depending on how much-dissolved minerals and chemicals are present. Some groundwater sources may contain too many fluorides, leading to bone diseases. If one is uncertain about which water to choose, soft water is the best. Mixing hard and soft water can be even more beneficial, provided it contains only beneficial minerals. Although it has the highest purity and no minerals, distilled water can be too bland to be consumed regularly. It is safe to drink, but adding salt or sugar can quickly improve the taste if it is not available. Some people consider adding small amounts of organic and herbal agents to water, such as one teaspoon of natural vinegar to a full liter. This is considered to be good for your health.
Water supply is one of the greatest problems facing humanity at present. Both surface and groundwater are polluted by the presence of large cities and the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, industry and agriculture. The industrialization has improved the quality and made it more difficult to get clean water. If the population growth rate continues, it will make it more difficult to maintain adequate water supplies in reasonable quantities.
When water conservation is brought up, it should be remembered that rare chemical processes can only destroy water. Water moves from one place or another. Water is always moving through nature. We need not worry if we consume a lot of water to meet our daily needs. Our planet doesn’t lose the water we use. It will always be there for us to use again in the future. Water conservation does not mean reducing water consumption, but about using it properly and maintaining its quality. Even though seawater is abundant, it is not directly used to humans, plants and animals. Nations facing water shortages should be aware of the freshwater that is returned to the sea via both underground and surface rivers. The same water can be collected in ponds, lakes and dams to remain fresh water on the ground and enhance groundwater streams and reservoirs. India, for example, is one of the countries that loses a lot of their freshwater to sea during the monsoon season. It should therefore consider creating more inland reservoirs when the opportunity presents itself. Large dams can cause environmental disruption, but small reservoirs are less disruptive. They enhance the environment’s quality. Whether a village, town, or city, no human settlement should be considered eco-friendly unless it has a lake or large pond. Many lakes are required for large cities. It is important to speak out if you live in a city without a lake nearby. Protecting a lake near human habitation is necessary. When combined with freshwater fish farming, these reservoirs can quickly pay for their creation. It is important to take immediate action to ensure that fish are not dying in lakes.
There has been much discussion about rainwater harvesting, which is collecting rainwater and redirecting it underground. This is a good idea in areas where rainwater flows into rivers that run to the sea. In areas without such rivers, however, harvesting water might prove futile. It is likely that nature already does it for free. Water that evaporates at the surface isn’t lost. It can be returned as rain or dew. The conservation of groundwater is another area that often results in futile efforts. Sometimes, governments may consider licensing or limiting the use of groundwater. This is often completely unnecessary.
In some cases, water drawn from the ground can even help prevent water loss to the oceans. The water may be pumped out to reduce the saltiness of the water, except in coastal areas. This is due to the long-term storage within the ground. The water that is pumped is not destroyed. It returns to the Earth in large part. Its location can be changed. It is possible to pump out excess water, and the water table will drop. This automatic control does not require bureaucratic expense.
How much water should you drink? Doctors recommend drinking eight glasses of water per day. Individuals will vary in how much water they consume. It is dependent on climate, activities, and how much water you drink through food and beverages. A healthy person feels thirsty. Listen to it, and if you feel thirsty, it is important to take the time to sip slowly instead of swallowing it whole. An indicator can be the color and amount of urine. It is usually a sign that not enough water has been consumed if the urine becomes darkening or too yellow. A healthy person who has ingested enough water has almost colorless urine and is free from excess smell. When the call of nature has been answered, it flows freely and abundantly.
