Importance Of Water
(Muhammad Unza Farooqui, Karachi)
Water is the common name
applied to the liquid form (state) of the hydrogen and oxygen compound H2O. 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 absorbtion 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.Since water contains no calories and can
serve as an appetite suppressant and helps the body metabolize stored fat, it
may possibly be one of the most significant factors in losing weight. In his
book, titled "The Snowbird Diet" Dr. Donald Robertson says the body will not
function properly without enough water and discusses the importance of drinking
plenty of water for permanent weight loss: "Drinking enough water is the best
treatment for fluid retention; the overweight person needs more water than the
thin one; water helps to maintain proper muscle tone; water can help relieve
constipation; drinking water is essential to weight loss."
Water is a key component in determining the quality of our lives. Today, people
are concerned about the quality of the water they drink. Although water covers
more than 70% of the Earth, only 1% of the Earth's water is available as a
source of drinking. Yet, our society continues to contaminate this precious
resource. Water is known as a natural solvent. Before it reaches the consumer's
tap, it comes into contact with many different substances, including organic and
inorganic matter, chemicals, and o ther contaminants. Many public water systems
treat water with chlorine to destroy disease-producing contaminants that may be
present in the water. Although disinfection is an important step in the
treatment of potable water, the taste and odor of chlorine is objectionable.
And, the disinfectants that are used to prevent disease, can create byproducts
which may pose significant health risks. Today, drinking water treatment at the
point-of-use is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity! Consumers are taking
matters into their own hands and are now determining the quality of the water
they and their families will drink by installing a drinking water system that
will give them clean, refreshing, and healthier water.