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.
