Finding a refreshing spring while hiking in the mountains and feeling thirsty can be relieving. But wait! Are you sure the water is safe to drink? Does the spring meet the characteristics of the type of clean water?
Water is one of the vital needs for human life. We need water for various purposes, including meeting the body's fluid needs.
The following will discuss how to choose safe and high-quality drinking water using indicators of clean water characteristics.
Types of Clean Water That Are Safe to Drink
What exactly is the definition of clean water? Generally speaking, clean water refers to a natural resource in the form of high-quality water that can be used in daily life, such as for drinking, cooking, and sanitation.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), clean water is water that communities can utilize for drinking, household requirements, food production, or recreational purposes.
From these two definitions, it is clear that clean water plays a crucial role in our daily lives. Therefore, you should pay attention to the quality of the water you consume to ensure it meets health standards for clean water.
Here are the types of clean water you should be aware of.
1. Colorless
The types of clean water that are safe for consumption are those that it is colorless and transparent. If the color is unusual, such as cloudy or brownish, it should not be consumed because it likely contains harmful substances.
The question is, how do you determine the level of clarity? To do this, pour water into a container and let it sit for a while.
If there are changes in the water, such as sediment or color adhering to the bottom of the container, it is not clean water. Conversely, water is considered clean if it remains clear.
2. Has a Bland Taste When Drunk
The other types of clean water have a bland taste when drunk. Many people say that drinking water usually has a taste after being left for more than a night. However, not all drinking water that has a taste is unfit for consumption.
For example, bottled drinking water changes its taste even though it does not contain sugar or protein, and microbes cannot grow in it.
This water has a slight taste because it absorbs carbon dioxide, which is then converted into carbonic acid, accounting for only about 0.13 percent of the water's composition.
During this process, protons are lost, forming bicarbonate and carbonate, which lower the pH of the water, making it slightly acidic and changing its taste.
However, if your drinking water is left uncovered for more than a day, algae may grow and become a breeding ground for mosquito larvae, which can make you sick.
It could also be due to dust particles floating in the air and settling in your drink, potentially causing illness.
3. Water Has No Odor
The criterion for clean water is that it has no odor. If the water you consume has an odor, especially an unpleasant one, it is best not to drink it.
This is because it is likely that the drinking water has been contaminated with bacteria or H2S (hydrogen sulfide), a colorless but toxic gas that is also flammable.
Additionally, water with a fishy odor should also be avoided, as this may be due to high barium content.
Barium is a chemical substance that naturally occurs in water due to drilling processes or manufacturing waste.
4. Bacteria-Free
Unlike the manual checking of clean water characteristics mentioned earlier, this point requires special research. The harmful bacteria in mineral water are pathogens, which are types of microbes that have the potential to cause various diseases.
One of the bacteria commonly found in contaminated water is Escherichia coli. This bacterium can live in the human intestines. If you drink water containing E. coli bacteria, it can cause mild diarrhea.
Besides E. coli, various other bacteria can also accumulate in your body without being noticed. Therefore, ensure that the water you drink comes from a reliable water source.
5. Water Does Not Feel Sticky After Use
The other types of clean water do not feel sticky after you use them to wash your hands. Identifying the criteria for clean water also requires you to pay attention to its texture.
Water that is not suitable for consumption often leaves residue on faucets, sinks, or glasses.
This can be due to the influence of certain substances, such as magnesium, manganese, aluminum, and lead.
When you use water containing these substances, your hands will feel sticky and uncomfortable.
6. Neutral pH
The characteristics of clean water can also be seen from its pH content. The WHO recommends a water pH between 6.5 and 8.5. This indicates that the water is neither too acidic nor too alkaline.
7. Free From Harmful Chemicals
The content of chemicals, including pesticides, heavy metals (such as lead and mercury), and other chemical compounds, must be below the limits set by the WHO.
8. Free From Sediment
Clean water does not contain particles or debris that settle at the bottom of the container. The presence of sediment often indicates contamination.
9. Microbiologically and Chemically Safe
Clean water must undergo laboratory testing to ensure it does not contain any substances that could pose a health risk to humans.
10. Contains Natural Minerals
The final characteristic of clean water is that it contains natural minerals, such as those found in AQUA.
Clean water contains natural minerals like calcium and magnesium in sufficient quantities. However, the concentration of minerals must not be too high.
In addition, there are other ways to determine whether water is suitable for the body, such as conducting further tests in a laboratory. However, not everyone has access to a laboratory to conduct such tests.
That is why AQUA bottles are here to accompany your daily routine and keep your body well hydrated.
AQUA, which has been maintaining and continuously improving its quality since 1973, consistently provides the best-bottled drinking water by sourcing water from 17 of the finest mountain spring sources, from Sabang to Merauke.
Each spring source is researched based on 9 elects spring sources that have been compiled in collaboration with geological and hydrocriteria and 5 stages. AQUA sgeological experts, as well as partnering with several leading universities in Indonesia.
Once the water source meets all the criteria for clean water and passes through various stages, the water is processed in a highly sterile manner at a factory located near the spring, using stainless steel anti-corrosion pipes, ensuring hygienic packaging and distribution.
So, have you had your #AQUADULU today?
