Generally, “Raw Water” is a term which is used for the unfiltered & unsterilized spring water that includes naturally occurring substances, minerals and lacks those chemical additives that are put into tap water to extract potential contaminants.

It’s very important to know the source of your drinking water and how it has been treated. This includes rainwater and water from streams, rivers and lakes.

Raw water is also known as natural water because it has had not been subjected to any treatment to ready it suitable for human consumption, nor have any minerals, ions, particles or living organisms been removed.

Raw water can be found above ground in places such as in lakes and ponds or in streams, rivers or creeks, as well as in underground sources including wells, caves or underground streams.

The people who tend to drink raw water say that drinking raw water is found to be safe and healthier as compared to the normal tap water.

I am going to give you two options, a glass of natural, raw water that comes from every state and is free of man made contamination, or a glass of river water mixed with chlorine, fluoride, anti-corrosives, nitrate, and pharmaceuticals. Which would you prefer?

If you drink from the tap, then glass number two describes the components of your water. To ensure that your water is safe to drink, it is treated with chemicals, such as chlorine to eliminate harmful microorganisms, and anti-corrosives that protect against infrastructure contamination while the water travels through pipes to your home.

Without sterilization, raw water could be swarming with dangerous microorganisms, such as Giardia lamblia, cryptosporidium, and Vibrio cholerae, which could lead to hazardous health issues, such as diarrhea, sepsis, cholera, and potentially death.

But a research showed that some people have been drinking raw water for years and say they have never fallen ill. It is quite shocking that no one has ever been sick, nor have they ever filed a single complaint.

The Dangers of Drinking Raw Water

According to a research, drinking water comes from groundwater, streams, rivers, and lakes, which are subject to contamination by animal byproducts, microbials, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and pollution. To make sure that your drinking water is safe, regulations are set for over 90 contaminants for drinking water, including:

•    Chemical impurities like, Arsenic, Lead, Copper, Radionuclide, and other Chemicals
•    Microbial impurities like, Coliform, Disinfection Byproducts, Bacteria, Parasites, and other Pathogens

Even though raw water appears clean, drinking it can be extremely dangerous to your health. “Even though the water looked pristine, there are all kinds of wildlife in the mountains that poop in the fields, and when it rains or the snow melts, the bacteria in their dung end up in the water”.

I am not suggesting going to your local stream and drinking the water. That’s dangerous. No matter if you’re choosing water from the tap, a bottle, or a raw source, knowing where your water comes from, what’s in it, and if it’s safe to drink is important in the prevention of waterborne diseases and to maintain health & wellness.

Ensure that your Drinking Water is Safe

The prime advantage of drinking water is hydration which helps in keeping our bodies healthy and work properly. To make sure about the safety of your water supply, you can:

•    Have your tap water tested
•    Filter your tap water
•    Drink bottled water
•    Boil your water