We know that we need two essential substances, oxygen and water, to maintain our vital functions and survive.
However, we do not often think about the importance of these two vital resources in our daily lives (as long as we are not sick). After all, oxygen is everywhere, and our lungs automatically allow us to breathe; when we are thirsty, we simply drink a glass of water to quench our thirst.
If we consider the dependence of not only humans but also plants and animals, indeed all living beings in the universe, on water, then water is the most important factor that enables the beginning of living life. So much so that to determine whether there are signs of life in a place, the first thing investigated is whether there is a trace of water in that area, as it is known that life cannot exist where there is no water. The curiosity and desire of scientists to discover the existence of life on other planets besides Earth have actually led to years of water research in space. Ultimately, the absence of water means the end of life, and there is no other element we can substitute for water, which has taken its place as the most human issue at our bedside.
So, What Should We Know About the Water We Drink?
The human body requires an average of 2 to 2.5 liters of water daily to carry out metabolic activities regularly.
Not consuming enough water causes many health problems, and the lack of clean and healthy water in our daily consumption also emerges as an important factor that directly affects our health.
According to the 2019 World Water Report prepared by UNESCO, two billion people do not have regular access to clean water sources, while 4.3 billion people do not use sanitation. Although water resources are limited, one cannot help but think that access to clean and healthy drinking water is not the most fundamental human and vital right.
On the other hand, the water from natural sources (lakes, streams, rivers, waterways, dams) is not directly suitable for drinking or use. However, as in most countries around the world, in our country, drinking water is disinfected before distribution to remove pathogens. City networks
Before the water is supplied to the distribution network, it undergoes a series of processes.Water that has been treated through physical, chemical, and biological purification systems is aerated in aeration units and disinfected using the ozonation method, and then chlorination is performed to make it suitable for drinking and use. All these processes are carried out in accordance with the conditions set forth in the regulation published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry regarding the Quality and Treatment of Drinking Water Sources. The purpose of this regulation is to determine the principles related to the waters supplied or planned to be supplied for drinking purposes, the quality criteria, the necessary treatment classes for the waters to be used as drinking and utility water, and the matters related to determining the treatment efficiency. The tap water flowing from our faucets, processed through various treatments and made compliant with quality standards, is safe water from a health perspective. However, while many people prefer to drink municipal tap water, many others prefer either spring water or bottled water.The conditions for safe waters are specified in the Regulation on Waters for Human Consumption published by the Ministry of Health. The purpose of this regulation is to regulate the procedures and principles regarding the compliance of waters for human consumption with technical and hygienic conditions, the provision of water quality standards, the production, packaging, labeling, sale, and inspection of spring waters and drinking waters.The importance of water in our lives is not only due to its existence but also related to its ability to contain dissolved nutrients. Minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, which are naturally present in water, support the healthy functioning of our bodies. At the same time, the richness of these minerals in the water reduces the acidic property of the water, meaning that the pH value shifts towards alkaline. The ideal pH level of water should be between 7.5 and 8.5.In addition, there are harmful chemical substances and microorganisms that should not be present in water from a health perspective. All these harmful and beneficial substances in the water...The limit values for the presence of substances are determined according to TSE 266 Drinking Water Standards. These standards express the recommended values and the maximum permissible values for physical, chemical, toxic, microbiological, and radiological parameters.There is an obligation for the producer company to specify these values on the label of the packaged waters we purchase. Wishing you to pay attention to drinking water regularly to keep your body healthy and fit, free from toxins and reaching beneficial minerals...
