What's in our water anyway?

Have you gotten into the habit of bringing a water bottle?

- CHIT U. JUAN

Everyone but everyone now carries a water bottle—from a slim 200 ml to a two-liter one—and it has become part of everyone's "must have" and must carry. If you care about safe drinking water, you will bring your own jug, pitcher, or gallon.

Bottled water is getting expensive if you follow the recommended 2,000 ml a day of drinking water, not including coffee and tea, which actually are diuretics and may make you add more water to the usual two liters a day. If you drink three cups of coffee, you need to replace the liquid by drinking equivalent amounts of fresh water to avoid dehydration. That may be a generalization, but it is always safe to drink more, especially if you are healthy and if you need not count liquid intake. Yes, some people needing dialysis, for example, have to limit water intake. But generally, the more water you drink, the better.

Further, bottled water left in the sun for hours, like in your car's hot dashboard or cup holder, is best given to plants instead of consuming it. Many studies show that exposing plastic to direct hot sunlight is not a good idea for the water inside it. Also, when we drink half of a bottle and keep the rest for future use is also not a good idea. We sip and leave bacteria in those bottles. Best to dispose of leftover water than take the risk. Or bring your own water bottle and refill as needed. Wash every end of day and refill again the next time.