A Cup of Water – So What’s In It

The composition of our drinking water is changing due to materials and chemicals circulating in our environment.

The natural & built environment affects the waters composition which sustains every human, plant and animal.

Water is a mixture and a synthesis of the natural earth materials (soil, minerals, biology), air and constructed materials & chemicals.

The planets air/tides/ocean currents enable water to circulate around the planet, linking us all to a globally shared and mixed water resource.

We all share and consume the waters which circulate around the planet- whether its rain and runoff over our buildings, vehicles, roads, vegetation, animals. Potable water flowing through a tap, through a rain water tank and into your cup has a history stemming billions of years of flow inside/over/around the planet. Since the industrial revolution. chemical production (over 350,000), plastics, we are finding our toxic chemicals/plastics/man made materials in our food chain and water supply.

Understanding linkages between pollution, water quality & health is required globally.

Water is an extraordinary molecule containing an abundance of invisible and essential life sustaining elements. Within a single drop of water, an astrologically large number “sextrillion or 1.6 * 10²¹“ of molecules exists.

Water comprises a vast mixture of elements from the universe. The tiny water molecules are in constant communication with each other and the environment. Water can occur as a nanoscale water droplet, ice crystal, invisible vapour, or be as large as the ocean. Water is as old as the universe and is constantly recycled. Water not only flows around the ocean in conveyor-belt like currents, but also in the microscopic electro-magnetic exchanges between molecules.

Water composition relates to the quality of the natural and built environment. The water molecules can penetrate, erode, dissolve and shape everything like the landscape and built environment. Water is a reactive molecule, a universal solvent and it crosses all boundaries.

As our built environment ages over time (infrastructure, transport, industry) it weathers and breaks down releasing countless of tiny particles which enter the water cycle, atmosphere, agriculture, and food chain.These particles (microscopic/nano-scale) affect human health and the health of our ecosystems. Our well being is connected to the quality of our air, water, plants, and animals.

Scientist do not know the safe amount of pollution for everyone.

Plastics and chemical pollution has entered every part of our lives from pesticides, clothing, cosmetics, food, packaging, preservatives, fire fighting foams, fuel, oils, coatings and paints.

Most of the harmful pollutants in water are invisible.

Lessons learned with contaminated site investigations is the need for community education about our built environment, harmful chemicals, ways to control waste, & keeping our lands clean and healthy for the next generation.

Our survival depends on passing a healthy environment to our children. Solutions include; community engagement, environmental engineering/remediation, incentives (e.g. biodegradable products, circular economy, reducing waste, re-vegetation, recycling, reuse).

Keeping our drinking water free of harmful pollutants is likely to become the greatest challenge for our generation and the next.