If you’re looking for fun facts about water, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of the most interesting things you may not know about “the elixir of life”:
- The adult body is up to 60% water
- You need between 11.5 and 15.5 cups of water per day
- You could only survive about three days without water
- Your drinking water could contain the same molecules that dinosaurs drank
That’s just a start. Read on to learn all this and more about water, the water cycle and even your home’s tap water.
Fun Water Facts
Water is everywhere in our world — but how often do you stop to think about it? Let’s learn more about this precious liquid and why it’s one of the most interesting things on our planet:
1. Water Can’t Be Destroyed
You might remember from Earth science classes that matter can’t be created or destroyed; it just cycles through different states of being. This also applies to water, which is still “matter” whether in solid, liquid or gaseous form.
By extension, this means that water can’t be destroyed. The water that was on Earth millions of years ago is still here today — which is why you might have shared a drink with a dinosaur.
2. Water Isn’t Infinite
In the same way that water can’t be destroyed, it also can’t be created. Generally speaking, we have a finite amount — and usable water is even more limited.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, there are 326 million cubic miles of water on Earth. 97% of that is salt water in our oceans. The remaining 3% is fresh water, but 2.5% of it is trapped in ice caps, locked in the atmosphere, highly polluted or too far below the Earth’s surface to extract. That leaves us with about 0.5% of the planet’s water, which exists as surface water (such as a lake or river) and accessible groundwater (such as an aquifer).
To make things more complicated, industrial waste and other pollutants mean that some of this percentage can’t be considered “safe water” until it’s gone through several levels of filtration and treatment.
3. Ice Is Unique
For the most part, a solid is denser than a liquid — but that’s not the case with ice. This anomaly occurs because liquid water molecules are more tightly packed than ice molecules. That’s why ice cubes float when you put them in your drink.
Water in Your Body
Water is a key element for all living things. Here’s what it does for the human body:
4. You’re Mostly Water
You might have heard that the adult body is mostly water, but you may be surprised to find out exactly what those measurements look like. Long-standing water research explains:
- Lungs: 83% water
- Muscles: 79% water
- Kidneys: 79% water
- Brain: 73% water
- Heart: 73% water
- Skin: 64% water
- Bones: 31% water
5. Water Needs Differ
How much water should you drink in a day? General recommendations suggest 11.5 cups or 91 ounces for women and 15.5 cups or 125 ounces for men. However, specific needs differ depending on key factors such as your activity level, overall health and even the climate where you live.
While drinking fresh, clean water isn’t the only way to stay hydrated, it’s usually the best choice for your body. Additional sources of hydration include foods with high water content (such as watermelon or spinach) and other beverages (including coffee and soda).
6. Water Is Critical
Water is called “the elixir of life” for a reason. You can only survive about three days without it, while you might be able to survive without food for up to two months depending on various factors. That’s part of the reason why preventing dehydration is so important, especially if you’re working out or spending time in hot weather.
On top of that, water plays many key roles in your overall health and wellness. For example, it protects your spinal cord, cushions your joints, maintains your body temperature and gets rid of waste. It could also help prevent cavities, especially if your drinking water is fluoridated.
Water Quality Facts
The water cycle is part of our bodies, health and even our planet. That means protecting water quality is everyone’s responsibility. Check out these important facts:
7. Water Access Is Getting Better
In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that 74% of the population — or 5.8 billion people — could get safe drinking water whenever they needed it. However, that wasn’t the case for over 2 billion people living in countries where water pollution and water scarcity are high. The good news is that organizations including the WHO are actively working to overcome these problems, while events such as World Water Day help improve water education.
8. Water Testing Should Be Common
Have you ever had a professional water test? If not, you’re missing out on important information about your home’s water quality — especially if you use a private well. You should have tests at least annually and again after significant events such as storms, sanitation problems or any advisories about your water source. A free, in-home test from Culligan® will give you information about water hardness, pH levels, potential contaminants and more.*
Want to learn more about your water quality?
Schedule your free, in-home water test and consultation.
9. Filtration Is Easier Than You Might Think
If you want to ensure your drinking water is safe, you might start thinking about filtration. While pitcher and refrigerator filters are a common option, they’re not the most comprehensive solutions. Fortunately, reverse osmosis and whole-home filtration systems are easy to have installed and even easier to use.
A reverse osmosis filtration solution is for your drinking water. It can address odor, taste and appearance issues, but it’s also a great way to reduce contaminants such as lead, arsenic, mercury and more.
A whole-home filtration system works on all of your home’s tap water. These solutions help address individual problem water issues such as iron, sulfur and chlorine issues that can impact how you bathe, clean your home, cook food or get a refreshing beverage.
Get Fun Facts About Your Own Water
It’s one thing to learn about the world’s water supply and how it impacts your life, but what about the water at your own tap? Whether you’ve noticed unpleasant tastes and odors or just want to learn more about your water, it’s always smart to learn the facts and choose solutions that fit your unique needs.
To get started, take our Water Solutions Finder quiz or schedule your free, in-home water test today.
*Contaminants may not be present in your water.
