Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2004DC58B

District of Columbia Drinking Water Blind Taste Testing Project

Institute: District of Columbia
Year Established: 2004 Start Date: 2004-03-01 End Date: 2005-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $15,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $30,000

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 bodys 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 Districts drinking water.