What Minerals are in Water?

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What is water made of?

A single water molecule is made up of 3 atoms: two hydrogen atoms (H) and one oxygen atom (O), which is why water is often referred to as H2O. The amount of water recommended depends on factors including your gender, age, and activity level. According to the NHS on average, men need to drink at least 3 litres of water a day, which is equivalent to 13 cups of water, and women should drink at least 2 litres a day, which is around 9 cups of water.

Water can contain:

Substances from the environment (e.g. minerals)
Substances from water treatment (e.g. chlorine)
Particles from piping (e.g. rust, scale)
Microbes (e.g. Pseudomonas)
Residues from pollution (e.g. organic impurities, pesticides, hormones)

Minerals found in water

Below are the four main minerals found in our water and why they are important:

Calcium (Ca2+): calcium is important at all ages for healthy growth and bone development.
Magnesium (Mg2+): magnesium is an important element in water as it’s been shown to prevent heart disease.
Sodium (Na2+): sodium is more of a double-edged sword; we need a small amount of sodium to maintain a balance of water and minerals.
Fluoride (F-): fluoride is naturally found in water in some areas of the world and intentionally added in others to reduce levels of tooth decay. (There is also fluoride in most toothpaste, for this reason.)

Read more – The Importance of Hydration

What exactly are minerals?

A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element or compounds with an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties. What classifies something as a mineral is that it has the same characteristics no matter where it is found. Minerals grow as crystals because the chemical elements that make them up are organised in a specific way. It is different from a rock, which can be an aggregate of minerals or non-minerals and does not have a specific chemical composition.

Particles in water

Although water may appear to be clear, it always contains many microscopic particles, some of which may taste funny and be dangerous for your health. The most common types of particles that are present in drinking water include cysts of parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, asbestos fibres, bacteria, precipitates of heavy metals including lead, and "turbidity", which refers to the visual cloudiness of water.

Eine Frau trinkt Wasser aus der BRITA Wasserfilterflasche Model Active

Tap water vs mineral water

Tap water contains additional minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Hard tap water has higher mineral contents. However, minerals in hard water form deposits that can corrode pipes or restrict the flow. Despite the efforts of public water suppliers, contaminants from rusted or leaking pipes can pollute drinking water.

How is water cleaned?

Water is cleaned through a process called filtration. This water treatment is the process of cleaning water, which makes the water safer for people to drink. In the 1850s the microscope was invented, which meant people could see germs in water for the first time. In 1902, Belgium was the first country to use chlorine to clean or treat water in a public water supply. Today, almost every city in the world treats their drinking water.

This is where BRITA comes in. We provide a range of filtration systems and water dispensers to ensure the best possible water for your needs and tastes.

Scientific facts about water:

Hot water will turn into ice faster than cold water
70% of the human brain consists of water
Water leaves your stomach 5 minutes after drinking
Water is the only substance that is found naturally on earth in all three forms: liquid, gas, and solid
All the water on earth came from comets and asteroids
Less than 1% of the water supply on earth can be used as drinking water.