Define Safe and Wholesome Water and Uses of Water

Without water, all living things, including humans and animals, cannot exist. Without water, man could not survive. Water aids in the replacement of lost body fluids, the maintenance of normal fluid levels, the excretion of waste materials, the dissolution of food, the regulation of body temperature, and the excretion of waste products. Lack of access to clean drinking water is a major cause of illness in developing nations. It is thought that illness can be reduced by about 50% just by providing safe water.

Safe & Whole Some Water

Safe & whole some water is defined as water having following characteristics:

• Free from pathogenic agents
• Free from harmful chemical substances
• Pleasant to taste
• Usable for domestic purposes

In brief, potable water means that water which is physically, chemically & biologically suitable for drinking

Water is said to be polluted or contaminated when it does not fulfill the above criteria. A safe water supply is more important to health than anything or drugs. Safe & wholesome water inadequate volume is the basic need of the community health service.

Use of Water

The uses of water in a community are many & the requirement in quantity & quality are varied. The uses of water include:

• Domestic Uses: Water is required for drinking, cooking, washing & bathing, flushing of toilets, gardening etc. The estimated water required for urban areas is 20-25 gallons per head where as in rural areas it is 10-15 gallons per head.
• Public Uses: For public cleaning (washing drain, streets), fire fighting, maintenance of public gardens, swimming pools, ornamental ponds of numerous other civic purposes. These require large quantity of water.
• Industrial Uses: Without water no industry can function & develop especially iron, steel & paper industries require lot of water for processing & cooling.
• Agricultural Uses: No food can grow without water so it is essential for cultivation of food, fruits, vegetables etc.
• Trade & Business: Different trade centers as hotels, restaurants, dairies, laundry, hospitals etc. require adequate water for  both drinking, bathing & washing.
• Production of Electricity: Hydropower production as electricity & for production of stem power. The used water is also used as irrigation in fields.

By the end of the 10 plan, it was estimated that 76.6% of the population had access to basic drinking water supply services & 8% had access to improved quality of drinking water.

Thus, water is therefore an essential factor in the economic, social & cultural development of a community & the country as a whole. It can eliminate diseases promote rural development & improve quality of life.