How much water do we really need?
Water is an integral component of human life and we need it for life, health, and survival. Over 884 million people worldwide don't have access to clean and safe drinking water, and 2.6 billion people worldwide practice improper sanitation. Adequate water consumption without wastage is critical for people worldwide because the lack of sufficient water during emergencies can take a massive toll on their lives and reduce their chances of survival. That's why supplying appropriate potable and non-potable water is of utmost importance. People consuming contaminated water are more prone to experiencing acute and chronic health conditions, especially after an emergency. A Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) response is therefore crucial during emergencies to reduce the risk of mortality and morbidity. An accurate response protects people, increases their survival chances, and improves their life quality. We know that water is important. Now the question is: How much water is needed? Today's article will answer this question by giving you essential details. Read on!
Non-Emergency Guidelines
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN), it is essential to focus on a continuous water supply for everyone during non-emergency situations. The purpose is to supply enough water for personal and domestic uses. These include drinking, washing, sanitation, cooking, hygiene, and household cleaning. The WHO reports that a person needs 50 to 100 liters of water daily to meet their personal needs and maintain optimal health. For instance, drinking water must not contain microbes, such as bacteria and viruses. Likewise, it must not have radiological hazards and chemical substances that increase the risk of health complications.
Potable Water
Potable water is safe for consumption and is mostly used for hydration, but it can also be used for washing, cooking, and hygiene purposes.
Hydration
According to the WHO and UNHCR, everyone must maintain an adequate hydration during non-emergencies and emergencies. The minimum quantity of water to maintain hydration has remained elusive for years because it depends on various factors, such as food consumption, traditions, societal norms, activity levels, and climate conditions. Therefore the WHO recommends that organizations develop context and evidence-based informed policies to ensure professional practices. For example, the minimum amount of water needed for hydration, including drinking and food, is 3.2 liters per day for adults in regions with temperate weather conditions.
Cooking
Water is an integral component of food preparation. We use it for cleaning foods and ingredients, such as washing rice or vegetables. And we also use boiling water to cook. Defining water requirements for cooking is challenging because it varies based on the types of food and cooking done, but here are some estimates from the experts. According to USDA, an average of 7 liters of water is needed for cooking food and 4.2 liters for tea and coffee preparation. Your neighbour might need 0.35 liters of water per day to cook 170 grams of rice, but not everyone cooks their rice the same way!
Hygiene
Water is essential to maintaining our personal and domestic hygiene and health. We use water for our laundry, for handwashing, and bathing. There is a need for more research to measure or calculate the minimum, average, and maximum quantities of water required for personal hygiene. However, the existing evidence suggests that a person needs 20 liters of water per day to meet their basic hygiene needs, including handwashing and face washing.
Non-Potable
Non-Potable water is not suitable for human consumption because it contains various contaminants. Although non-potable water is not appropriate for humans, it has a wide range of uses in people's daily lives. For instance, people can use non-potable water for gardening, plumbing, and flushing toilets. They must not use them for drinking and cooking because they contain microbes, including bacteria and viruses, which can deteriorate their health. How much non-potable water is needed depends very much on an individual or household’s lifestyle.
An accurate response protects people, increases their survival chances, and improves their life quality. We know that water is important.
