Water
is the common name applied to the liquid form (state) of the hydrogen
and oxygen compound. Pure water is an odorless, tasteless, clear
liquid. Water is one of nature's most important gifts to mankind.
Essential to life, a person's survival depends on drinking water. Water
is one of the most essential elements to good health -- it is necessary
for the digestion and absorption of food; helps maintain proper muscle
tone; supplies oxygen and nutrients to the cells; rids the body of
wastes; and serves as a natural air conditioning system. Health
officials emphasize the importance of drinking at least eight glasses
of clean water each and every day to maintain good health.
Our
Earth seems to be unique among the other known celestial bodies. It has
water, which covers three-fourths of its surface and constitutes 60-70
wt % of the living world. Water regenerates and is redistributed
through evaporation, making it seem endlessly renewable. So why worry?
Actually,
only 1% of the world's water is usable to us. About 97% is salty sea
water, and 2% is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. Thus that 1% of
the world's water supply is a precious commodity necessary for our
survival. Dehydration (lack of water) will kill us faster than
starvation (lack of food). Since the plants and animals we eat also
depend on water, lack of it could cause both dehydration and
starvation. The scenario gets worse. Water that looks drinkable can
contain harmful elements, which could cause illness and death if
ingested.