Water treatment in the U.S. usually goes through several steps to make sure it’s safe, and this is overseen by the EPA. The main steps are coagulation/flocculation to gather particles, sedimentation to let them settle, filtration to get rid of leftover solids, and disinfection (often using chlorine or UV light) to eliminate bacteria and germs, before the water is distributed.

Main Water Treatment Steps

Coagulation and Flocculation: Chemicals like alum are put into the water to balance out charges and stick dirt and particles together into bigger, heavier pieces called “floc”.

Alum (aluminum potassium sulfate) and related aluminum compounds generally pose low risks in small, daily amounts but can cause serious health issues with chronic high exposure, including neurological, bone, and lung diseases. Risks are highest for individuals with kidney disease, who struggle to excrete

Sedimentation: The water moves into tanks where the heavy floc particles sink to the bottom, letting cleaner water go on to the next step.

Filtration: The water goes through filters made of sand, gravel, and charcoal to take out tiny impurities, particles, and dissolved substances.

Disinfection: Chlorine, chloramines, ozone, or UV light is used to kill off parasites, bacteria, and viruses.

Long-term exposure to chlorinated water and its byproducts may increase cancer risks.

Fluoridation and pH Adjustment: Fluoride is often added for better dental health, and pH adjusters help stop pipes from corroding. Excessive fluoride intake, especially combined with low (acidic) pH, increases risks of fluorosis (tooth/bone damage), neurotoxicity, and kidney damage. While fluoride prevents cavities, high exposure or acidic conditions increase toxic absorption of hydrofluoric acid, causing tissue burns and reduced bone strength.

Let the science and evidence speak for itself…

Healing properties of saliva, reported since ancient times, are gaining attention especially when these are supported by modern scientific discoveries (Aripin et al., 2023).

What is metabolic water - metabolic water is created inside a living organism through metabolism, specifically by oxidizing energy-containing substances (fats, proteins, carbohydrates) during cellular respiration.

Consequently, saliva serves numerous beneficial functions that are vital for our health. While saliva has been thoroughly examined as a medium, only a limited number of laboratories have explored its role in preserving both oral and overall health (Tiwari, 2011). Additionally, saliva may potentially aid in the healing of skin wounds (Rodrigues et al., 2019). It is evident that saliva is crucial for maintaining the equilibrium of this system, particularly when salivary clearance is obstructed, as seen in sedated patients in intensive care (Amerongen et al., 2021). Saliva is a fundamental element of the oroesophageal environment, facilitating normal speech, taste, chewing, food bolus formation, and swallowing. It plays significant roles in safeguarding the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity from acids and harmful microbes. A considerable number of individuals experience either subjective or objective changes in the quantity and/or quality of their saliva, which may result from diseases, medications, medical treatments, or emotional disturbances (Thie et al., 2021). Findings suggest that BF (Bahá’í fasting) is safe, does not adversely affect hydration, can enhance fat metabolism, and may induce temporary shifts in circadian rhythms (Koppold-Liebscher et al., 2021). Water intoxication can manifest in various clinical scenarios but is often under-recognized in medical literature. This condition may remain unnoticed in its initial stages when patients exhibit symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, nausea, and vomiting, along with alterations in mental state and psychotic symptoms. Timely identification is essential to avert severe hyponatramia , which can result in seizures, coma, and death (Amerongen et al., 2002).

Reference

Amerongen, AV Nieuw, and ECI Veerman. “Saliva the Defender of the Oral Cavity.” Oral Diseases, vol. 8, no. 1, Jan. 2002, pp. 12–22, https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1601-0825.2002.1o816.x. Accessed 16 Feb. 2021.

Aripin, N. F. K., Zahid, N. I., Rahim, M. A. A., Yaacob, H., Haris, P. I., Rahim, Z. H. Abd., & Hashim, R. (2023, June 1). A review of salivary composition changes induced by fasting and its impact on health. SciOpen. https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/FSHW.2022.9250004

Farrell, D. J., & Bower, L. (2003). Fatal water intoxication. Journal of clinical pathology, 56(10), 803–804. https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.56.10.803-a

Koppold-Liebscher DA, Klatte C, Demmrich S, Schwarz J, Kandil FI, Steckhan N, Ring R, Kessler CS, Jeitler M, Koller B, Ananthasubramaniam B, Eisenmann C, Mähler A, Boschmann M, Kramer A and Michalsen A (2021) Effects of Daytime Dry Fasting on Hydration, Glucose Metabolism and Circadian Phase: A Prospective Exploratory Cohort Study in Bahá’í Volunteers. Front. Nutr. 8:662310. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.662310

Rodrigues Neves, C., Buskermolen, J., Roffel, S., Waaijman, T., Thon, M., Veerman, E., & Gibbs, S. (2019). Human saliva stimulates skin and oral wound healing in vitro. Journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, 13(6), 1079–1092. https://doi.org/10.1002/term.2865

Thie, N. M., Kato, T., Bader, G., Montplaisir, J. Y., & Lavigne, G. J. (2002). The significance of saliva during sleep and the relevance of oromotor movements. Sleep medicine reviews, 6(3), 213–227. https://doi.org/10.1053/smrv.2001.0183

Tiwari M. (2011). Science behind human saliva. Journal of natural science, biology, and medicine, 2(1), 53–58. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-9668.82322

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