Toast to the tap the water we drink

Drinking Water Quality: What You Need to Know

Most of us don’t think about the water we drink. We turn on a tap, fill a glass, and drink. But how much water do you really need to drink every day? Is the water you're drinking safe or would bottled water be safer? What can you do if your tap water suddenly became contaminated? Read on to find out how much you know about the drinking water in your own home.

Drinking Water Quality: What You Need to Know

How Much Water Do You Need?

Your body weight is more than 50% water. Without water, you couldn’t maintain a normal body temperature, lubricate your joints, or get rid of waste through urination, sweat, and bowel movements.

Not getting enough water can lead to dehydration, which can cause muscle weakness and cramping, a lack of coordination, and an increased risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In fact, water is so important that a person couldn’t last more than five days without it. So how much water do you need? Enough to replace what you lose daily through urination, sweating, even exhaling. And your need for water increases:

In warm or hot weathe, With vigorous physical activity, such as exercise or working in the yard, bouts of illness, especially if you have a fever, are vomiting, having diarrhea or coughing.

Water Quality: Is Tap Water Safe?

You need to stay hydrated --  that’s clear -- but is the tap water in your home safe? It is considered generally safe if it comes from a public water system in the United States, such as one run and maintained by a municipality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to monitor all public water systems and sets enforceable health standards regarding the contaminants in drinking water.

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