Availability and types of water
Water is one of the simplest and yet most important ingredients. Almost everywhere in the world there is water, but it appears in different forms and qualities. When we talk about availability we mean how easy it is for people to access water. In wealthy countries clean water often comes straight from the tap. In some regions people must collect water from wells, rivers or even from rain. Imagine: water is like a playing field that is not equally large or equally well maintained everywhere — sometimes there is a lot of water, sometimes only a little, and sometimes the water is very clean, sometimes less so.
Origin
Water can come from different places:
Water can come from different places:
- Tap water: This is water that comes into houses through pipes. It is usually cleaned and tested so that it is safe to drink.
- Spring water: This water emerges at the ground surface, usually at a place where it has been filtered through rock. Many people like spring water because it seems fresh and clean.
- Well or groundwater: The water lies deep under the ground in rock layers. Wells pump it up. Groundwater is often clear because the soil has filtered it.
- Surface water: This includes lakes, rivers and reservoirs. This water is easy to reach, but sometimes needs more treatment.
- Rainwater: Some collect rain in barrels or tanks. It is handy for the garden and in some areas also for drinking if it is kept properly clean.
Production areas — where water “comes from”
Water does not grow, but there are places where water is particularly abundant or particularly clean. Mountainous areas often have springs and rivers because snow and rain collect there. Coastal regions have access to seawater, which is salty. Tropical areas get a lot of rain, while deserts have little water. One can say: climate zones and landscapes determine how easy or hard it is to obtain water.
Water does not grow, but there are places where water is particularly abundant or particularly clean. Mountainous areas often have springs and rivers because snow and rain collect there. Coastal regions have access to seawater, which is salty. Tropical areas get a lot of rain, while deserts have little water. One can say: climate zones and landscapes determine how easy or hard it is to obtain water.
Available types and variants
Even though water is always H2O, it is often distinguished by two characteristics: purity and taste. Here are the common types you find in shops or can use at home:
Even though water is always H2O, it is often distinguished by two characteristics: purity and taste. Here are the common types you find in shops or can use at home:
- Tap water: Cheap and available at any time. In many countries it is drinkable; in others you should boil or filter it first.
- Mineral water: Usually comes from a spring and contains minerals like calcium or magnesium. These minerals often give the water a slightly different taste.
- Spring water: Very similar to mineral water, but not always with as many minerals. It is often bottled directly from a natural source.
- Still water: Has no carbonation. It is calm to drink, like water from a lake.
- Sparkling (carbonated) water: Contains carbon dioxide, which is why it tingles. Some like the sensation, others prefer still water.
- Filtered water: Tap water that has passed through a filter to improve taste or remove contaminants.
- Distilled or demineralised water: Very pure because all minerals and dirt have been removed. It is often used for machines or in laboratories, less for daily drinking.
- Seawater: Salty and not drinkable without special treatment (desalination). It is still important for shipping, fishing and the environment.
Simple comparisons to understand
Think of water like different juices: apple juice and orange juice are both juice, but they taste different. Likewise still water and sparkling water are both water, but they feel different. And just as different apples grow in different places, water “comes” from different sources — a mountain, a well or the rain.
Think of water like different juices: apple juice and orange juice are both juice, but they taste different. Likewise still water and sparkling water are both water, but they feel different. And just as different apples grow in different places, water “comes” from different sources — a mountain, a well or the rain.
So water is everywhere, but how easy we get it and how good or clean it tastes can vary a lot. These differences determine which variant we choose for drinking, cooking or other purposes — just like you choose lemonade or water depending on the occasion.
