Drinking Water

Who would have thought that something so simple, so essential as water could carry centuries of history, intrigue, and challenges that touch every corner of our modern lives?

1. Water: A Beverage with a Complex Past

Water wasn’t always regarded as the essential drink that it is today. In history, many cultures preferred other beverages like beer or wine over water, due to taste or perceptions of status. For instance, in ancient Rome, water was considered inferior and suitable only for women, slaves, or children. This sentiment carried on into medieval times and even among early American settlers who often prioritized beer over water.

Yet water held mystical appeal in folklore and religion. Cultures around the world cherished stories of enchanted springs and holy wells. Explorers like Ponce de León famously sought out magical sources of water, including the fabled Fountain of Youth. Similar tales abound in Norse, Islamic, and other traditions, where water held transformative, even divine, connotations.

Across history, people sought sacred water for blessings or cures while overlooking its hygienic benefits. For example, in 1858, Bernadette Soubirous claimed to see the Virgin Mary at a spring in Lourdes, France. Today, pilgrims from around the world continue to visit Lourdes, hoping for healing from its waters.

Examples

• Upper-class Romans drank wine, dismissing water as poor man's refreshment.
• Norse mythology tells of Odin seeking transformative waters under Yggdrasil.
• Pilgrimages to Lourdes highlight water's historic role in faith and healing.

2. The Roman Empire’s Aqueducts Revolutionized Access to Water

Despite drinking preferences, the Romans were pioneers in water infrastructure, leading the way in sourcing and distributing water effectively. Their aqueduct systems, built over 500 years, displayed engineering brilliance, delivering 30 million gallons of fresh water daily across vast distances.

For public consumption, the Romans created lacūs, or public basins, that allowed everyone to access water freely. Private access required a fee, setting a precedent for monetized water distribution. Emperor Augustus expanded these systems, adding more public basins as a way to prevent civil unrest and garner political support, branding them with tributes to Caesar.

The Roman systems highlighted the link between water infrastructure and social stability, a model that many societies mimic even today. Their bathhouses, private home installations, and public basins were not just practical but also political tools of empire-building.

Examples

• Roman aqueducts connected private homes with water on a subscription model.
• Augustus boosted the number of public lacūs to 600 as a political strategy.
• Over 11 aqueducts carried water to Rome, some spanning over 50 miles.

3. Linking Clean Water and Health Took Centuries

For much of history, the link between water and disease was misunderstood. With water sources often contaminated, many preferred beer or wine as these brewed beverages were safer to consume. Yet, during the 1800s – and after numerous epidemics – scientists and civic leaders began to realize the importance of clean water.

John Snow, a physician in London, revolutionized public health by proving the connection between contaminated water and disease. In 1854, he mapped a deadly cholera outbreak to a specific water pump in London. This groundbreaking discovery helped shift public understanding and spurred the creation of urban sewer systems.

Such knowledge doubled life expectancy in cities by the late 19th century, as proper drainage systems reduced disease outbreaks significantly. However, it left an enduring lesson: clean water doesn’t come naturally – it takes deliberate planning and consistent upkeep.

Examples

• Yellow fever and cholera epidemics killed thousands due to dirty water.
• John Snow traced cholera to a contaminated water pump in London.
• By 1900, cities embraced sewer systems, doubling life expectancy.

4. Cities Struggle to Source Enough Water

Urbanization challenged growing cities to meet increasing demands for clean water. In the 19th and 20th centuries, cities like New York and London underwent rapid expansions of their water supply systems, but not without difficulty.

New York initially relied on a polluted pond known as "the Collect," which caused widespread illness. It wasn’t until the city tapped distant water sources like the Croton and Catskill watersheds that clean water imported from miles away became a sustainable solution.

Similarly, London relied on its iconic River Thames, though it became infamous for pollution, especially during the “Great Stink” of 1858. This crisis finally prompted government action to limit sewage dumpage and establish better sanitation controls for urban water systems.

Examples

• New York City expanded water pipelines to sources 125 miles away.
• London's "Great Stink" forced drastic cleanup of the Thames.
• Industrial runoff and urban crowding repeatedly worsened water systems.

5. Treating Water is an Ongoing Challenge

Natural sources of freshwater are almost never safe. Historically, wildlife bacteria and excrement contaminated rivers and lakes. Today, human influences add chemical pollutants and endocrine disruptors from medications and industry.

Chlorination first emerged as an effective treatment solution in Belgium in 1902. By the mid-1900s, water treatment relied further on filtration, UV exposure, and other advancements. Yet, even chemicals like chlorine have their limitations, and studies still find pharmaceuticals and residual toxins in treated public water.

Urban water systems, no matter how advanced, must now fight modern contaminants while confronting aging infrastructure at the same time. Many water authorities find themselves underfunded and overwhelmed.

Examples

• The US found 80% of streams contained pharmaceutical traces in 1999.
• Belgium’s 1902 chlorinated systems introduced chemical treatment of water.
• Even treated water in US cities was found with 56 pharmaceutical residues.

6. Distribution is the Weakest Link in Water Systems

Once treated, water moves through interconnected pipelines, but this stage of distribution is where it is most vulnerable to contamination. From accidental pollution to deliberate sabotage, distribution systems face risks globally.

In 2006, a town in Massachusetts had to replace its entire water supply after teenagers contaminated a water tower for fun. Another serious case occurred in Gideon, Missouri, where bird droppings in storage tanks caused a salmonella outbreak, killing seven people.

Infrastructure longevity poses yet another problem. In the United States, aging pipelines frequently crack, losing an inconceivable amount of water daily. Every two minutes, worn-out pipes waste millions of gallons.

Examples

• Teens intentionally contaminated a water tower in Blackstone, Massachusetts.
• In Missouri, seven people died due to tank contamination from birds.
• US cities waste up to 6 billion gallons of water every day through leaks.

7. Bottled Water Boomed Due to Fitness and Convenience

Bottled water wasn’t always a billion-dollar industry. Its rise began in the 1970s when health-conscious trends elevated water to a staple of fitness culture. Early brands like Perrier spent heavily on marketing to position themselves as healthier alternatives to soda.

By the 1990s, giants like Coca-Cola (Dasani) and Pepsi (Aquafina) dominated the bottled water market. The appeal of pre-packaged water wasn’t just health – it was also convenience. Lightweight plastic bottles transformed water into a portable lifestyle necessity.

The bottled water market grew so quickly that restaurants now feature water sommeliers to pair specific brands with food. While some of these waters come from high-quality springs, many originate from municipal sources, heavily marked up for profit.

Examples

• Perrier gained traction by sponsoring events like the NYC Marathon in 1979.
• Aquafina and Dasani launched drinking water dominance in the 1990s.
• Americans now open 1,500 bottles of water every second.

8. Bottled Water Creates Health and Environmental Concerns

Bottled water may not be healthier than tap. Some brands have been found contaminated with bacteria, lead, or other harmful elements. Conversely, strict regulations applied to municipal tap water often ensure its cleaner quality.

On top of health concerns, bottled water has environmental downsides. The production of one plastic bottle requires up to four liters of water. Additionally, millions of tons of discarded bottles fill landfills or litter the oceans yearly.

The rise in plastic manufacturing keeps escalating as demand for bottled water grows – raising troubling questions about sustainability and responsible consumption habits.

Examples

• A Cleveland study showed 15 bottled samples had more bacteria than tap water.
• California alone discards one billion water bottles per year.
• Making one bottled liter often wastes multiple liters during production.

9. Water Access as a Human Right is Still Debated

In 2002, the UN declared access to water a basic human right; however, major nations like the US and UK abstained. Globally, inequities persist. South Africa tried granting citizens a free daily allowance of water, yet struggles to evenly implement the policy.

Massive costs also hinder developing countries from investing in modern water systems. Meanwhile, wealthier nations face dilemmas over privatization or maintenance funding. Many US cities, for instance, are still reliant on 19th-century pipes prone to breakage.

Water’s classification as an essential resource doesn't always translate into fair access, keeping the debate around its affordability and distribution alive.

Examples

• South Africa provides 6.6 free gallons daily but faces major implementation flaws.
• $335 billion is needed to repair the US’s aging water pipelines.
• Critics highlight water privatization for driving up costs in poor areas.

Takeaways

1. Transition to reusable water bottles and advocate for improved plastic recycling to reduce environmental damage.
2. Support local and global initiatives aimed at modernizing outdated public water systems.
3. Stay informed and hold governments accountable for prioritizing clean water access over industrial or corporate gains.