The quality of drinking-water is a universal public health concern. Water is essential for life, but it can and does transmit diseases across countries in all continents – from the poorest to the wealthiest. It needs to be emphasized that access to safe water is a fundamental human need and is, therefore, a basic human right.

Potential Health Effects
Water is a common vehicle for the spread of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and parasites, and other environmental health hazards. The most common diseases of this type are diarrhoeal diseases. Some of the more well-known examples of water-borne pathogens include Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Rotavirus, Enteroviruses and Giardia. The majority of illnesses caused by these pathogens are only moderately serious and frequently take the form of gastroenteritis with diarrhoea, abdominal pain or vomiting of short durations. They may affect several people or an entire community, depending on the quantity or type of pathogens present in the water. Infection may occur as a result of drinking the contaminated water directly or using it for washing or preparation of meals and drinks. Some chemical substances present in water as a result of natural processes are essential in maintaining good health, but some may be detrimental to health when they occur above certain concentrations. Fluoride, for example, is an important component in bone and tooth structure.. Too low a level of fluoride increases the incidence of dental caries, but an elevated level of fluoride causes mottling of the teeth as well as skeletal fluorosis.

To help in ensuring a safe and sustainable supply of drinking-water, the general public is advised to:

1. Conserve water, by observing the following:

• don’t draw off more water than is required
• take a shower instead of a bath
• save the bath slops to wash the floor or water the pot plants
• save for a bigger wash when using washing machine and dishwasher and cut down the rinse cycle
• fix any dripping tap immediately
• teach the children not to play with water

2. Cleanse the fresh water storage tanks in their buildings every three   months or more frequently if necessary

3. Refrain from installing any domestic water filters because they may become an ideal breeding ground for bacterial growths and constitute health hazards if they are not properly maintained.

Hydration Guidelines for Walkers

• Plain Water: For walks of an hour or less, plain water is the best drink.
• Add Salt: When your walk is going to be longer than an hour, a sports drink or salty foods such as pretzels can help with water absorption in the body as well as replacement of salt and energy.
• Drink Before You Walk: Prepare for your walk by drinking a tall glass of water (17 ounces or 500 mL) 2 hours before your walk. This will allow time for any extra to pass through you body before you hit the trail.
• Caffeine: Avoid caffeinated beverages before your walk, they cause you to lose fluid, making you thirstier as well as making you take inconvenient stops along the way.
• Salt Before a Long Walk: Before long walks, have a bit of extra salt with your meal or snack so you will have enough sodium to stay in balance.
• Plan for More Water: Carry water with you or plan for water stops along the route where you will be able to get a full drink of a cup of water every 20 minutes. A water fountain may not be able to deliver enough water for you to get a full cup.
• Drink When Thirsty: Older guidelines said to drink before you are thirsty, but new guidelines by USATF in 2003 for long distance runners and walkers say to use thirst as a guide and to drink when thirsty.
• Drinking When Sweating: If you are sweating more than usual, drink more than usual.
• High Altitude: You lose even more fluids at high altitudes, in heat and low humidity and need to drink more than usual. Again, let thirst be your guide and drink as soon as thirsty.
• Flavor Your Water: Make your water taste good so you will want to drink more. Add a squirt of lemon and keep it cool.
• Drinking After Your Walk: After your walk, end with another tall drink of water. After a long walk, do not overdo on plain water, use sports drink and/or salty foods to replenish salts as well
• Walking Water Calculator: Find out how much water you should be taking along or drinking from fountains, etc.

Signs of Dehydration

• nausea after exercise
• dark yellow urine or no urine
• dry, sticky mouth
• dry eyes

Pure Clean Water

• Tap water is perfectly fine for most purposes – in the US and Canada.
• Some walkers prefer the taste of filtered or designer water. Be sure to clean and dry single-use bottles before refilling them.
• Do not drink water from a lake or stream unless you filter or purify it. In many places there are nasty parasites such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium in the “unspoiled” mountain streams – because they are in the local squirrels and other animals.