We all know we should drink plenty of water on these hot Central Texas days we've been experiencing. The traditional recommendation for adequate water consumption for adults is "at least 8 glasses of water a day." If you exercise outdoors at all you'll need to increase that amount. Water helps to protect against heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, so you should drink plenty of fluids during vigorous or outdoor activities (including sunbathing).

Drinks of choice include water and sports drinks; avoid alcohol and fluids with caffeine such as tea, coffee, and cola, as these can lead to dehydration. It seems there are plenty of choices in you want to go beyond plain old tap or bottled water. Wander past any store shelf and you'll find water flavored with all types of ingredients including lemon, watermelon, ginseng and strawberry to name a few. But outside of flavorings, what are you getting with your glass of water?

Based on the Safe Water Drinking Act (SDWA), municipalities must provide water that meets federal and state water quality standards. The SDWA was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply or tap water. Bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a food product, and is required to meet standards equivalent to those US EPA sets for tap water.

Bottled vs. Tap Water

There are many health concerns contained within news stories regarding the safety of bottled water versus tap water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed standards for and regulates the concentration of 90 harmful contaminants that could find there way into drinking water. The EPA regulates the quality of drinking water nationwide by issuing and enforcing safe drinking water standards. While tap water and bottled water are regulated differently, they are both considered safe, healthy choices.

The City of Austin publishes quarterly reports for consumers to read for themselves what's in their water. Everything from pH level, to alkalinity, hardness, chlorine, calcium, fluoride and more can be found in the report.

Adding Flouride

Since February 2, 1973, the City of Austin Water Utility has been adding fluoride to the drinking water. The fluoride ion comes from the element fluorine. Fluoride, either applied topically to erupted teeth, or ingested orally (called systemic fluoride) during tooth development, helps to prevent tooth decay, strengthen tooth enamel, and reduce the harmful effects of plaque. Close to 20 percent of preschoolers (children ages 4 and 5) have tooth decay - with 50 percent developing tooth decay by age 6 to 8, and nearly 80 percent by age of 17. Fluoride also makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage is even visible.

The beneficial aspects of fluoride are widely recognized. Impartial groups that have endorsed fluoridation include the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, the American Medical Association, and the World Health Organization. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also supports the practice of fluoridation and has developed detailed engineering and administrative recommendations regarding it. In fact, the CDC has recognized water fluoridation as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th Century.

Topical fluorides can be found in products containing strong concentrations of fluoride (i.e., toothpastes, mouth rinses. Fluoridated varnishes and/or gels either topically applied by a dentist or other oral healthcare professional, or prescribed as an at-home regimen, particularly for persons with a high risk of dental caries). Systemic Fluoride can be found in:

• Public and private water supplies
• Soft drinks
• Teas
• As dietary supplements
• Some bottled water supplies

Once ingested, systemic fluoride is absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract and distributed and deposited throughout the body via the blood supply.

Swimming in Lakes, Creeks and Streams

Lakes, creeks and streams generate the raw water processed at the local water treatment plants. This raw, untreated water, while generally safe to swim in and consume in small amounts is vastly different than treated water you find coming out of the faucet or tap water. There are a few recommendations to follow when swimming in untreated waters.

• Avoid letting water get in your mouth if it does, spit it out. Beach sand or creek bed sediment also has bacteria in it, probably more than the water does.
  
  
• Wash your hands before putting them in your mouth, or using them to eat. If you cant wash, handle snacks by the wrapper and keep spouts of water bottles clean.
  
  
• Avoid swimming after heavy rains, especially near storm drain outlets. Water that is turbid or cloudy with dirt will have much more bacteria or other dangers in it.
  
  
• Look (and sniff) for trash, oil slicks, concentrations of bird droppings, discharge pipes, or other signs of localized contamination. If present, it would be better to swim elsewhere.
  
  
• If you tend to get ear or eye infections, consider using earplugs or swim goggles. If you have open skin cuts or scrapes, clean them with soap and water after swimming.
  
  
• Consider wearing shoes while swimming or wading. Broken glass, metal, or other debris may cause injuries that could increase the risk of bacterial infections. Plus, cut feet are unpleasant even without bacterial concerns.
  
  

Pool Water

Unlike tap water to drink or natural water that one can swim in, pool water is radically different. It is not to be consumed and it's not to be a habitat for marine life. Therefore, chemicals are added on a regular basis to destroy harmful organisms, prevent algae growth while preserving a pH level that is satisfactory for humans. If the pH rises to far above 7.8 or drops too far below 7, eye irritation can occur. Almost 100 percent of U.S. public water supplies that are disinfected are made clean and safe with chlorine or chlorine-based compounds. While chlorine is used both in the pool for sanitation and in water treatment facilities, one should limit the amount of pool water that is consumed, due to the increased concentration found in a pool.

Chlorination of water not only is used in the pool, it's also a main ingredient in creating tap water. In addition to killing deadly germs and microorganisms in raw water treatment. Chlorine also:

• Removes unpleasant tastes and odors that come from algae and decaying natural vegetation in water distribution systems.
• Effectively controls microorganisms such as slime bacteria, molds, algae, and fungi that tend to grow on the walls in transmission mains and treatment basins.
• Keeps water pipes and filters free from dirt.
• Eliminates or reduces organic coloration.
• Destroys hydrogen sulfide and removes ammonia and other compounds that have unpleasant tastes and impede disinfection.

How Consumers Can Improve Drinking Water

While your tax dollars go to treat raw water and make it acceptable to drink, there are ways for you to improve on the product even more.

• Don't flush human pharmaceuticals or veterinary medicines down the drain.
• Scoop the Poop. Pick up after your pet.
• If possible, use no fertilizer on your lawn or if need be, use organic alternatives.
• Don't allow automobile waste, such as oil drippings, to run down the driveway into the drain.
• Dispose of hazardous materials through the proper channels. Contact your local solid waste department for more information.

Links

City of Austin Water Utility
City of Austin Watershed Protection
Environmental Protection Agency
Lower Colorado River Authority