The importance of safe water

Do you ever ponder about the water you drink?

Water consumption is something that we all, rich or poor, have in common in this world. We all need to survive. Our body contains about 70% water after all.

Water penetrates every cell of the human body and regulates vital bodily functions such as metabolism, digestion, circulation and much more. Water also plays an important role in the brain, the thought process and mood. Water is so important because of its properties as a solvent, for transportation and cleaning. It transports and distributes nutrients, waste products, maintains osmotic pressure in cells and regulates our body temperature. All metabolic processes and the secretion of toxins through kidneys, intestines, skin and lungs are only possible in conjunction with water.
In 24 hours 2,000 liters of blood are flushed through our kidneys and approximately 2.5 liters of water are excreted. This loss should be replaced by consuming at least 2 liters of water a day, so that all agencies can meet their specific tasks. As a general rule, a person needs 30 ml of water per kg of body weight.
A water shortage slows all metabolic processes and other bodily functions, dry cells and the aging process is accelerated considerably. Foreign substances accumulate in joints, tissue and the vascular system and cause various diseases.

Safety of the water is equally important

Every community in the world strives for a safe and reliable water supply. But often due to inadequate sanitary facilities, manmade accidents or natural water supplies threatened and micro-biologically contaminated.

Microorganisms such as bacteria, cysts and viruses continuously threaten the safety of our drinking water and make it necessary to protect us against these pathogens.

Scientific research has shown that the usual concentration of coli-form bacteria (e coli – Escherichia coli) in surface water varies between 105 per 100 ml (also expressed as log 5) and 109 per 100 ml for sewage. Considering that only one dose of 103 needed for immune compromised people intestinal infection causing the water after treatment must not be more than 1 per 100 ml remains or a reduction of at least 6 logs (99.9%).

Cysts (such as cryptosporidium and giardia) are the largest in the water occurring micro-organisms (3-6 micron). They occur in surface waters at a concentration of 10 per litre. They are highly contagious and cannot be after purification in the water, which is a 3 log (99.9%) removal means.

The concentration of enteroviruses (e.g. Poliovirus and Rotavirus) in surface water is estimated at 102 -104 per litre. 

The above treatment standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. in their “Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water purifiers”.

Since 1976, we know that not only captured bacteria are a serious threat to health. Bacteria (Legionella) with water steam are inhaled, can cause a severe form of pneumonia (Legionella Pneumophila).