Tuesday 28 May 2013

Water, Water, Everywhere: Water Types and Their Uses

It is often said that men can live without food in about forty days, but they can't survive without water for only three. The importance of water in life also goes beyond its capacity to quench thirst and rehydrate the body; in the life of the community, water is vital for irrigation and agriculture, manufacturing and hygiene. There are different types of water, each with its special uses.

Raw water is considered hard water. It is untreated and contains germs and viruses that may be hazardous to health, which is why it is not recommended for drinking. Many households in developing countries, however, turn to boiling their water to make it safer for drinking while also consuming the minerals contained in water, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron in different quantities. However, raw water is mainly used in road dust control and filling dams in farms.

De-mineralised water is water that has undergone treatment through one of many means, such as distillation, de-ionisation, or other water treatment technologies, making it almost completely free of dissolved minerals. This water, however, is still not considered safe for drinking and is mostly used in manufacturing with uses in chemical plants, transportation, and other industries.

Potable water is safely consumed by humans and animals. There are naturally occurring potable water, such as in natural springs. Besides boiling, some households add pills to water to neutralize bacteria. On a community-level, water is chemically treated (or disinfected) and filtered to sift out contaminating particulates.


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