What is Total Dissolved Solids & why should we avoid drinking bottled spring water?
408550
The problem with drinking bottled spring water is the dangerous effect it has on your wallet.
638627
My best guess would be chlorine.  Chlorine is harmful to humans if its concentrated enough (certainly could be concentrated enough in a chamber), and kills bacteria in water which is why it is used in water distribution.
83823
If you mean is all clear, cold, colorless water good for the purification process to become drinking water, then your answer is not always.  There are many clear and colorless chemicals that can make it through the purification process with out being removed.  A series of tests should be administered to the water to find out exactly what's in there so that the appropriate purification process can be applied.
426342
it is not as good as plain water unless you are truly depleted. these drinks contain many things you don't need including calories.
255706
This is a physiology thing. You can say it detoxifies your system. Show me papers about it published in JAMA, and then maybe I'll buy it. \nDistilled water is pure H2O, and is hypo osmotic. In fact it has no osmotic pressure what so ever, therefore the nature of osmotic pressure is drive the fluid to dilute the other fluids on the other side of the membrane (I.E. the tissues inside your body). Well, the dH2O will increase your blood volume acutely. This means you will be hypertensive. (So automatically if you have a cardiac condition this is a poor idea. This will increase the work your heart has to do.) \nHowever drinking dH2O without replacing your electrolyes (K, Na, Mg, Ca), can be very detrimental. Specifically acute hypocalciemia (low calcium blood levels) can cause acute heart failure. Heart tissue requries Ca entry into the cell for proper contraction and signal conduction.\nI forgot to mention that the hypocalciemia comes from blood volume dilution, not it comes from the tap water.\n\nNot to mention trace minerals found in tap water are essenial for normal cellular function. Specifically, zinc. (search zinc finger domains on pubmed.com to see what I am talking about). \nHope you find this medical student's perspective has been informative.\n\nYou seek proof, no? You'll have to dig up a physiology text book, on cellular osmotic balance.\n\nI will say that tap water can cause the same hypocalciemia however you must drink much, much more of it to be aborbed(bulk flow). To the same acheive the same blood volume. (i.e. gallons in a few hours)\n\nThe H+ and Cl in your stomach are mainly secreted in response to lipids, amino acids and sugars. (You'll again need a physiology textbook, it will tell you the same thing). Not to mention those ion concentrations are not close to what is in tap water.\n\nI will admit I'm not a big fan of aromatic compounds in my water but theres other things that concern me more.\n\nYes a little glucose and KCL, not a bad idea, but then you pretty much have gatorade right there.\n\nOsmosensitive mechanisms contribute to the water drinking-induced pressor response in humans.\nLipp A - Neurology - 27-SEP-2005; 65(6): 905-7\nFrom NIH/NLM MEDLINE \n\n\nNLM Citation ID:\n16186532 (PubMed)\n\n\nFull Source Title:\nNeurology\n\nPublication Type:\nJournal Article\n\nLanguage:\nEnglish\n\nThis compared saline (iso osmotic) versus distilled water.
429203
mostly chlorine. I think a lot of the water fountains and tap water have chlorine in it to keep it safe. But some people are alergic to it, and it isnt the healthiest thing in the world. But it shouldnt do TOO much harm. In some other areas there might be a bit nastier chemicals like... mercury?\nhaha. But I think people boil the water first to kill any unwanted microsopic things that miught be livingn in there. But... I dont think having germies in water is that big of a problem in the U.S. eh. But i guess you can never be too safe.
1088875
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY\nThe sulfate ion, SO4^2-, is one of the major anions occurring in natural waters. The majority of sulfates are soluble in water with the exception of lead, barium, and strontium sulfates. Thus, dissolved sulfate is considered to be a permanent solute of water.\n\nThe major health effect observed with sulfate ingestion is laxative action and the cation associated with the sulfate appears to have some effect on the salt's potency as a laxative . Sulfate itself slowly penetrates mammalian cellular membranes and is rapidly eliminated through the kidneys (WHO, 1984a). Pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the U.S. EPA has proposed Maximum Contaminant Level Goals of either 400 or 500 mg/L to protect infants, and has identified a LOAEL (Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level) of 630 mg/L based on diarrhea in infants receiving formula made with high-sulfate water. The Drinking Water Standards of the U.S. Public Health Service recommend that sulfate in water should not exceed 250 mg/L, except when no more suitable supplies are or can be made available. \n\nSulfates can contribute to an undesirable taste in water. The taste threshold for the sulfate ion in water is 300-400 mg/L, and a guidance value of 400 mg/L based on aesthetic quality has been suggested. The current U.S. EPA national Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level for sulfate, based on organoleptic effects, is 250 mg/L.\n\nNo inhalation, or developmental toxicity data were available, and no carcinogenicity data were located.
557477
ppm is parts per million. Alkali is basic and if the alkali level is high enough the water will kill you.
1121627
First off -- in the city or anywhere water systems operate, it's not free. You pay for that water.  Most people buy bottled water because they recognize that most public water sources derive from polluted waterways, is delivered through deteriorating, antiquated piping systems, and contains numerous sediments, microorganisms and other contaminants including the chemicals used to treat the water. Unfortunately, most people who buy bottled water don't take the time to investigate the quality of the product they're buying. Just because it says "spring" water doesn't really mean anything. #1, that spring may be a source of water from a polluted aquifer or may be receiving various pollutants into its recharge zone. #2, bottled spring water is treated with chemical systems, bottled in plastics which may leech carcinogens into the water, and may just be slightly better than the water coming out of your taps -- but far more expensive. On average, bottled water frequently is more expensive than gas/petrol.\n\nP.S. regarding convenience of bottles, it's far easier to fill a bottle or canteen from your tap. You can also use filtering systems at home to remove most contaminants in tap water.  \n\nEvian is still naive spelled backwards....
930178
decent drinking water
111121
water's chemical description is H2O, one atom of oxygen bound to two atoms of hydrogen. \n\n1). Pure water has a neutral pH of 7, which is neither acidic nor basic.\n\n2). Water is called the "universal solvent" because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid.\n\n3). Water is unique in that it is the only natural substance that is found in all three states -- liquid, solid (ice), and gas (steam) -- at the temperatures normally found on Earth.\n\nTypes of water\nI). Hard & soft water\nSoft water - Any water that does not contain a significant amount of dissolved minerals such as salts of calcium or magnesium.\nHard Water - water containing a high level of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. Hard water reduces the cleansing power of soap and produces scale in hot water lines and appliances.\n\nII). Ground water & Surface water\nGround water - In hydrologic terms, water within the earth that supplies wells and springs; water in the zone of saturation where all openings in rocks and soil are filled, the upper surface of which forms the water table. Also termed Phreatic water.\n\nSurface water - Precipitation which does not soak into the ground or return to the atmosphere by evaporation or transpiration, and is stored in streams, lakes, wetlands, and reservoirs is surface water.
397244
I like Tap water! We have very good tap water here and it is better and cheaper for you! It has fluoride in it already!(which is important for your teeth!)
22647
There's a formula in this article:\nhttp://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/water.htm
864649
Solute is anything tht is disolved in the liquid. If there was no solute, all you'd have is distilled water.
1032558
Martin, this was my original answer "No soft water is not harmful but soda is the worst thing for bones.  Did you drink soda as a kid?  In the next few years everyone will hear about the devastating effects of soda on developing bones." \nBUT THANKS TO YOU I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND OUT MORE.  INDEED SOFT WATER MAY ACTUALLY BE TOO PURE AND LEACH SOME VITAL ELEMENTS ESPECIALLY CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM FROM THE BODY.  HERE IS AN INPORTANT WEBSITE: http://watershed.net/purified.htm, \nthanks MARTIN!
940334
http://www.betterwayhealth.com/drinking-water.asp
153653
Water from the tap has several ions in it.  Some are added by people (like fluorine) and some arent (like sodium).  Also, water from the tap has several impurities.  \n\nWhen water is distilled, it is purified.  This water is deionized (some people call it DI water).  The water is free of impurities.  Without impurities, chemical "tests" can be run very efficiently and effectively with water.