Project ID: 2004DC58B

Title: District of Columbia Drinking Water Blind Taste Testing Project

Project Type: Research

Focus Categories: Water Quality, Treatment

Keywords: Bottle Water, Ground Water, Tap Water, Chlorine, Water Distillers, Water Sterilizer System, Water Quality Test Kit, Filtering of Water

Start Date: 03/01/2004

End Date: 02/28/2005

Federal Funds: $15,000

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $30,000

Congressional District: Washington DC

Principal Investigators:
Lillie Monroe-Lord

James DaWanna

Abstract

The largest component of all living matter is water. The human body is approximately 60 to 70% water and 30% solids. However these figures vary with age and sex. Water is essential for many body functions. Water provides an aqueous medium for cellular metabolism, transports materials to and from cells, acts as a solvent, regulates body temperature, maintains the vascular blood volume, aids in the digestion of food, maintains the chemical and physical constancy of the intracellular and extracellular fluids, and aids in the excretion of waste from the body. Body water balance is essential for good health. Water imbalances may lead to overload or dehydration. Water distribution in the adult body consists of: 30% extracellular fluid (6% plasma, 24% tissue space) and 70% intracellular fluid. A human being deprived of water (fluid) cannot live for long. Without water (fluid) the skin becomes dry and cracks, temperatures soars to burning heights, the mind deteriorates, and cells shrivel.

The question consumers are most often faced with, “Is your water safe? Consumers use many different filtering processes to affect water taste and make the water safe for use such as: shower filters, water filters, water purifiers, water distillers, water ionizer, water coolers, counter top ultra violet water sterilizer system, counter top water distiller, counter top true ionized water ionizer, refrigerator ice and water filters, whole house water treatment system, and whole house water filtration. One of the important elements affecting water taste is the amount of chlorine added to the water supply.
Water Requirements: An average, healthy person should take in approximately 2600 ml of fluid per day to meet the body’s water requirements. A standard calculation for water requirements is 30 ml per kg of body weight.
This proposed project, “District of Columbia Drinking Water Blind Taste Testing”, seeks to gather information on consumers’ consumption of the District’s drinking water.

Progress/Completion Report PDF