Water is the key to life. It is what scientists look for on other planets as an indicator for potential signs of life. It is everywhere around us and in us, but how much do you know about this essential element? See how many of these bizarre facts about water you may not have known before!
1. Hot water can freeze faster than cold water
Hot water can freeze faster than cold water under certain temperature-dependent conditions, and this phenomenon is called the Mpemba Effect. Because this effect is counterintuitive, it has stumped scientists ever since it was first discovered by a Tanzanian student, Erasto Batholomeo Mpemba, in the early 1960s. Many theories have been circulated, but a consensus has not been reached as to why this phenomenon happens.
2. Tap water has stricter standards than bottled water
Do you buy bottled water thinking it is cleaner than drinking straight from the tap? Approximately 40 percent of bottled water in the US is just municipal water bottled up and sold back to consumers. Bottled water also has less strict standards than tap water since they are regulated by different agencies. Bottled water is not tested for things such as E. coli. As long as the pipes delivering your tap water are safe and do not contain lead, tap water in the US is just as clean, or even cleaner, than bottled water.
3. Dishwashers are usually more water efficient than hand washing
Using an eco-friendly dishwasher with a full load will consume less water than hand washing dishes. The energy and water-efficient setting on the dishwasher is often a longer cycle than the normal setting, but the longer cycle ensures that the dishes still come out just as clean while using less water. When possible, only run the dishwasher when it is fully loaded to be as water efficient as possible.
4. Water expands when it freezes, unlike other liquids
Because of water’s unique characteristic of expanding when it freezes, life on Earth is able to thrive in cold weather. Bodies of water freeze from the top down, allowing fish and wildlife to live in the liquid water below the top layer of ice, which also acts as an insulating layer preventing the whole body of water from freezing.
5. The polarity of water molecules cause high surface tension
Due to the polarity of water molecules, meaning one side of the molecule is positive and the other side is negative, water has high surface tension. The high surface tension of water allows capillary action to occur, which is how blood travels through veins and water moves through roots and plants.
6. There are 17 phases of ice
There are 17 known phases of ice for the 17 different crystalline phases of water, and an 18th phase may exist. Only one phase occurs naturally on Earth, called “ice Ih.” Scientists have created other phases of ice in labs, such as Ice VII, which is associated with planetary collisions in space.
7. The average daily water usage is 80-100 gallons in the US
The average person in the US uses 80-100 gallons of water per day, which is roughly a standard bathtub. Daily household water usage includes flushing the toilet, taking showers, washing dishes, and drinking water. You can lower your consumption and be more sustainable by shortening your showers, turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, using eco-friendly dishwashers, and fixing any leaks.
8. Only 0.3% of the water on Earth is drinkable
Of all the water on Earth, 3% is freshwater and only about 0.3% of the water on Earth is usable and drinkable by humans. The majority of water is unusable and trapped in oceans, ice caps, soils, and the atmosphere. Glaciers contain about 68% of the freshwater on Earth.
9. The human body is 60% water
The human body is made up of 60% water. The human brain and heart are approximately 73% water. The human lungs are approximately 83% water. To compare, a jellyfish is about 95% water!
10. Humans need 2-4 quarts of water a day to survive
Generally, an adult needs 2-4 quarts of water a day to survive. All of this water does not have to come from directly drinking water, but can be consumed through food. A person can survive a month without food, but can only survive about a week without water.
11. Water intoxication is possible
It is possible to drink too much water and cause water intoxication. Overhydrating can dilute electrolyte and sodium intake and cause harmful brain imbalances. A drop in sodium levels causes fluids to shift inside cells and cells to swell. When brain cells swell, there can be life-threatening consequences. Symptoms can include headache, nausea, and vomiting.
12. Coffee is a highly water-intensive beverage to produce
Not surprisingly, water is the best beverage to drink with the lowest water footprint, which is the total amount of water used throughout the entire supply chain and life cycle of a product. For comparison, it takes roughly 108 gallons of water to produce one gallon of brewed tea, 296 gallons of water for one gallon of beer, 872 gallons of water to produce one gallon of wine, and 1056 gallons of water to produce one gallon of brewed coffee. The majority of the water footprint of beverages is from the agricultural production of the ingredients.
13. Women’s livelihoods are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to clean water
Every single day, about 200 million hours are spent by women and girls collecting water in areas that lack access to clean water around the world. This task is disproportionately a woman’s responsibility, preventing them from attending school, having productive jobs, and supporting their families. Walking miles away to a water source is also dangerous and exhausting, and the water source may not even be free of contamination. Solutions need to be implemented to provide communities with access to clean water and for women to have equal opportunity for gender parity.
14. World Water Day falls on March 22nd every year
March 22nd is World Water Day and it brings awareness that billions of people live without safe water. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 is water for all by 2030, which means no one is left behind. All groups of people, especially marginalized groups such as women, children, indigenous peoples, and disabled, need to be part of the discussion to ensure they are not overlooked in our journey to provide clean water for all.
15. Water is super interesting!
Water is everywhere – it is the simplest compound of the two most common reactive elements, hydrogen and oxygen. It is the second most common molecule in the whole universe, after hydrogen (H2). Although it is the most studied material on Earth, many of its characteristics and functions are still poorly understood, making it a fascinating subject to continue learning and researching!