What Do You Know About H2O?
It’s an important question, and we could all probably stand to know a little bit more about it. That’s the reason why you may be hearing about National Drinking Water Week this week through May 10th.
The observance is sponsored each year by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and it gives them and other organizations nationwide, including the New Mexico Department of Health the opportunity to talk about the essential role drinking water plays in our daily lives.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tap water not only provides New Mexicans with water for daily activities (like drinking, bathing, and cooking), but also for our medical, industrial, agricultural, and recreational needs.
Also, many improvements in the health, prosperity, and longevity of the US population are credited to improvements in water quality in the 20th century. Water treatment and disinfection have made US tap water one of the safest and healthiest drinking water supplies in the world.
For example, the CDC reports in 1900 there were approximately 100 cases of typhoid fever for every 100,000 persons living in the United States. In 2006, the rate had dropped to 0.1 cases for every 100,000 persons (that only 353 cases of illness in total) and about 75% of those cases happened to Americans traveling internationally.
The quality of water supplies in New Mexico are largely handled by local city and county governments, but the New Mexico Department of Health still helps to monitor the quality of water in private wells, encouraging private well owners to periodically test the water they are drinking for contaminants, such as arsenic.
About 20 percent of New Mexicans receive their water from private wells, which are not monitored routinely. The Department offers information for well owners at the Private Well page.
Regardless of where we get our water, getting enough of it every day is important for our health.
Healthy people meet their fluid needs by drinking when thirsty and drinking with meals. Most of our fluid needs are met through the water and beverages we drink. However, we can get some fluids through the foods we eat. For example, soups and foods with high water content such as celery, tomatoes, or melons.
Water helps our body keep its temperature normal, lubricate and cushion our joints and more. It’s particularly important to stay hydrated here in New Mexico’s hot, dry climate, especially while we’re physically active, or have a fever or experiencing symptoms diarrhea or vomiting.
Help yourself stay hydrated during any prolonged physical activity or when it is hot outside by drinking fluid while doing the activity, and drink several glasses of water or other fluid after the physical activity is completed.
If you think you're not getting enough water each day, you’re probably not. Think about carrying a water bottle for easy access when you are at work or running errands. Once you do, you’ll probably notice many other people are too. Also, choose water instead of sodas, fruit drinks and more when eating out. Generally, you will save money and reduce calories.
For more health and nutrition information about drinking water visit the American Water Works Association website.
Media Contact
We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact David Morgan at 575-528-5197 (Office) or 575-649-0754 (Mobile) with your questions.
Versión en Español
En un esfuerzo para hacer que nuestros comunicados de prensa sean más accesibles, también tenemos disponibles una versión en español. Por favor presione el enlace de abajo para acceder a la traducción.