Water Damage Team Blog

We’ve all heard some of these common water myths at least half a dozen times. Why? Because we hear them so often that we just assume that they are based in fact.

Myth 1: Once you use water, it’s gone.
Reality: After water is used, it’s recycled… over and over again. Water is resilient and responds well to treatment. However, using water from contaminating streams, lakes, and wells is a completely different story. To keep our drinking water safe, it must receive the appropriate treatment and have appropriate source protection.

Myth 2: Using a home water treatment device will make tap water healthier to drink.
Reality: Some people use home water filters to improve the taste, smell, or appearance of their tap water, but it does not necessarily make the water safer or healthier to drink. Unless you have a well with contaminated water, the water that comes out of your kitchen sink is as nutritious as water gets.

Myth 3: Drinking coffee, juices, and other beverages will keep you hydrated.
Reality: Most of us think that since beverages are made up mostly of water that they will keep us hydrated. In many cases, the exact opposite is true. Many beverages are solutes (meaning they containing dissolved solid materials) and many are diuretics (which may even dehydrate your body).

Myth 4: 8 glasses a day is the right amount of water for everyone.
Reality: The amount of water you should drink depends on your size, activity level, age in addition to other factors such as your diet and stress level. A 105 lb female living in a temperature-controlled environment will obviously not require as much water as a 250 lb male doing vigorous physical activity in 100 degree whether.

Myth 5: Drinking water can’t cause health problems.
Reality: If you drink too much water you can suffer from water poisoning which can even result in death. Last year, there was a widely reported incident where a Sacramento, CA resident died after drinking mass amounts of water for a radio competition.

Myth 6: Federal rules don’t cover bottled water.
Reality: According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under federal law, companies must test bottled water for the same 80-some contaminants as municipal water.

Myth 7: If you don’t like water you can just drinking soda.
Reality: Water is the best hydration fluid, soda doesn’t even compair. An 8-ounce sugar-based cola has about 95 calories, and cola bottlers use local water. The sugar in soda will even rot your teeth. However, rinsing your mouth with a glass of water after any sugary drink can actually help protect against cavities.

Myth 8: Watering daily is the only way to maintain a healthy, green lawn.
Reality: During the summer, your lawn needs about an inch of water per week. Too much water can actually kill a lawn. Roots need a period of dryness in order to be healthy.

Myth 9: Drinking water before a meal can help you lose weight.
Reality: The water you drink before or during a meal won’t keep you from. The only way water will help you feel full is if the water is found in foods like fruits and vegetables.

Myth 10: You can’t get dehydrated while swimming.
Reality: You’re actually more likely to become dehydrated when you spend time in the pool or ocean. Why? Because thirst is controlled by the volume of blood at the center of your body.