- About Us
- Stay Connected
- Client Resources
- Client Login
- Contact Us
3 Facts About Water You Probably Didn't Know
November 19th, 2019
Water makes up about 60% of the human body, but what do we really know about it? We know that we need it to survive, and without it, nothing else around us would operate properly either. There is an abundance of water everywhere we look, but what do we really know? Here are three facts about water that you probably didn’t know:
1. Only 1% of the earth’s water is drinkable.
There may be a lot of water floating around (pun intended), yet the majority is usable for drinking. According to the EPA, nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1% for all of humanity’s needs — all its agricultural, residential, manufacturing, community, and personal needs.
2. Water intoxication is real.
Water intoxication, or hyperhydration, can actually kill you. This is the process of consuming too much water in a short period of time, which causes an imbalance in your body’s fluids and salt levels. The unhealthy water level causes dilution of salt and electrolytes so they no longer function properly. The effects of hyperhydration can be as severe as stroke, coma, or death.
3. Agriculture is by far the largest consumer of our water.
The USDA estimates that agriculture accounts for approximately 80% of the nation's water use. In agriculture, water is used to grow fruits, vegetables, and raise livestock. Water is also used in agriculture for irrigation, the application of pesticides and fertilizers, and frost control. Not only is it important that the water used for crops be of high quality, but it is extremely important that they take care to control the impact of pesticides and animal waste on aquatic ecosystems.
These are just a few interesting facts you probably didn’t know about the water around you. Water impacts every part of life and it is important to have not only a high quality for our drinking, but for our food growth and environment as well.
Con-Test Analytical Laboratory is one of the leading environmental laboratories in the country. Located in the Greater Boston area, Con-Test services over 30 states nationally. Known as one of the top-quality environmental laboratories, Con-Test is a partner with leading international firms, the EPA, state governments, and more. Our diverse areas of expertise include air toxins, sediment, tissue, solids, aqueous, product testing and more. Contact us to learn more about our analytical testing services.