Facts About Drinking Water

Apart from breathing, water is just about the most essential element for humans. From making up 60% percent of our bodies¹ to being about 71% of our planet,² water is everywhere, and in nearly everything.

But what do you really know when it comes to facts about drinking water?

Besides the two we already mentioned, this article will guide you through 7 of the most interesting, surprising, and essential facts when it comes to drinking water. Not only will these water facts help you keep your daily fluid intake up, they’ll also lead you to a better way to get cleaner, tastier drinking water. 

Read on to discover more than you ever expected about H20.

#1 Most of Earth’s Water is Undrinkable

This may be shocking, but 97% of Earth’s water is actually saltwater—completely unsuitable for drinking water.³ Take a look at a globe and you might realize most of those blue spots are oceans. 

Not only that, 2% of the world’s water is undrinkable in its current form. This includes:

• Glaciers
• Ice caps
• Snow

That last 1% of Earth’s water supply is what we use for everything from agriculture to manufacturing to showering. That’s billions of people only tapping into one-hundredth of all the water on the planet.  

#2 Drinking Water Comes From Two Sources

There are only two main areas in which we source our tap water for drinking, washing, watering, and a lot more:

• Groundwater – Found within permeable rock within the soil (areas known as aquifers), groundwater makes up the vast majority of the planet’s freshwater. In fact, 98% of the world’s freshwater is underground.⁴ This accounts for all the naturally occurring springs, and the water feeding the ground wells. If you want to know more, we’ve also got a guide on “is well water safe to drink.”
• Lakes, rivers, streams, ponds – Natural bodies of water filled with fresh water are frequently the water source for major metropolitan areas. These water sources, known as surface water, may account for less of the world’s water supply but are still an essential water source. It’s interesting to note that more than 20% of the world’s supply of surface water is located in the Great Lakes.⁵

Of course, there are some exceptions. The process of desalination (the removal of salt or other chemicals from water), is occasionally implemented to create drinking water, though it’s typically expensive and inefficient. Also, some areas of the planet rely on melting ice for their drinking water, but these situations are comparatively rare.

#3 We Should Consume Two to Four Liters Per Day

If you’re waiting until you’re thirsty to pour a glass of water, you might be missing out on some essential health benefits that come with staying hydrated. 

While medical professionals typically recommend 2.7 liters a day for women and 3.7 liters a day for men, these numbers refer to overall water ingested, including from other beverages and food. All in all, about 20% of fluids come from the solid food you eat throughout the day.⁶

While it may be obvious that we require water to live, you might not be aware of all the ways your body uses water for various biological functions. Water is a key component of bodily processes like:

• Temperature regulation – Like coolant in a car, water is an essential part of regulating your body temperature and keeping you at an ideal 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Joint cushioning – Water in your body acts as a lubricant and cushion for your joints to assure they continue to be able to move correctly, reducing the chance of pain or injury.
• Nutrient transportation – To bring essential vitamins and nutrients through your body, water is essential. Whether in the bloodstream or the digestive system, hydration is required.

The list of how your body uses water is almost endless. As noted above, it’s more than half of your body itself. From saliva to eye tissue, you’re going to need to keep drinking water to feel and function at your best.

If you’re having a hard time meeting your daily hydration needs, it might be because your drinking water isn’t quite up to par. Unpleasant tastes and odors can make hydration harder than it should be. To cut the contaminants and start enjoying water the way it should be enjoyed, look to modern filtration solutions. 

#4 We Use 82 Gallons a Day

If you’re having a hard time picturing what 82 gallons look like, imagine 82 individual milk jugs—that’s the amount of water the average American uses per day.⁷ 

That accounts for:

• Drinking 
• Bathing
• Laundry
• Dishwashing
• Outdoor watering

Americans use more water than residents of any other nation, and unfortunately, a lot of that water is wasted due to leaks, inefficiency, and unnecessary over-use. You can conserve water when washing dishes, brushing your teeth, or watering your lawn.

#5 Water Has a Neutral pH

When you drink water, what do you taste? Ideally nothing. That’s partially because pure water has a pH of 7, the absolute neutral between acid and basic.

pH is the measurement used to determine how acidic or basic a substance is. Those terms can be broken down as:

• Acidic – Any pH below 7 is considered acidic. Acidity means more hydrogen ions within the water. Orange juice has a pH of 3.9 and has a noticeable acidity to its flavor profile. Just the same, a low pH glass of water can have a noticeable acidic taste. 
• Basic – If the pH is above 7 the substance is basic, with fewer hydrogen molecules. High pH substances include bleach and lye, items far beyond the realm of human consumption. Water with especially high pH is a serious health danger for human beings, and usually the result of industrial pollution.

Acidity is considered an aesthetic quality by the EPA, so it’s not specifically regulated. Still, the agency recommends drinking water between 6.5 and 8.5 pH.⁸ If your water has an off-putting taste it may be useful to check the pH—it could be the culprit making your drinking experience less than stellar. 

#6 Water Makes for a Happy Heart

While you may already think about the benefits of water flushing out toxins from your body, did you know it could help your heart? Research suggests that a steady regimen of daily hydration throughout your lifetime could decrease your risk of heart disease.⁹ 

Specifically, staying hydrated acts to do the following:

• Reduce sodium – Your blood requires a specific level of sodium, and regular hydration can help you avoid your blood sodium levels from increasing above the required threshold. The more water in your system, the more diluted the sodium in your blood will be.
• Keep your heart pumping – If your blood sodium is too low, your body will attempt to conserve water. The pumping of your heart can be affected, and as heart function is lowered, cells in the body begin to receive less blood.

In short, proper hydration is a simple way to do something positive for your health every day. 

#7 Water Helps You Look Your Best

Water can keep you feeling at the top of your game, and it can help you look at the top of your game too. As you pour your next glass of water, consider the benefits it has for:

• Teeth – Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter and local tap water contains fluoride—fully endorsed by the American Medical Association.¹⁰ Not only that, clean water washes away harmful chemicals and bacteria, and helps produce adequate saliva which can protect you from tooth decay.
• Skin – Dehydration can lead to dark circles, increased wrinkles, and rougher textures when it comes to your skin. Get your daily fluid intake up to the medically recommended levels and you can look forward to elasticity, faster healing, and fewer signs of aging. 

There’s a direct connection between looking good and feeling good when it comes to hydration—just one more reason to smile after gulping down a glass of water.

Facts, Figures, and Filtration with Rayne Water

Now that you’ve picked some information when it comes to our most precious natural resource, you might find yourself getting a little thirsty. Before you pick up your next glass of water, ask yourself if it’s as clean and refreshing as it should be?

If you’re ready to up your water game, here’s another fact to consider—there’s no better way than with Rayne Water. 

Our water filtration solutions work for residential and industrial spaces of any size and on any budget. From water softeners to reverse osmosis systems, you can find exactly what you need to make your next glass crisp, clear, and thirst-quenching. 

Sources: 

1. USGS. The water in you: water and the human body. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body?qt-science_center_objects=0# 
2. USGS. How much water is there on Earth. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/how-much-water-there-earth?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects 
3. EPA. All the water in the world. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-08/documents/mgwc-ww-intro.pdf 
4. NGWA. Information on Earth’s water. https://www.ngwa.org/what-is-groundwater/About-groundwater/information-on-earths-water 
5. EPA. Facts and figures about the great lakes.
6. Mayo Clinic. Nutrition and healthy eating. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20National%20Academies%20of,fluids%20a%20day%20for%20women 
7. EPA. Statistics and facts. https://www.epa.gov/watersense/statistics-and-facts 
8. Healthline. What pH should my drinking water be? https://www.healthline.com/health/ph-of-drinking-water#acceptable-ph-levels 
9. Science Daily. Drinking sufficient water could prevent heart failure. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210824104113.htm
10. ADA. Statements on community water fluoridation. http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Member%20Center/FIles/fluoridation_article03_statements.ashx 
11. Everyday Health. New study suggests drinking water could help prevent heart failure. https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-failure/new-study-suggests-drinking-water-could-help-prevent-heart-failure/