Water is probably the most important resource in human history. The average human can live for a month without food, but if they go for just three to four days without water, they will die of thirst. The interesting thing about water is that, around the world, water does not just have one form. Two of the most common water forms around the world are still water and sparkling water, both are potable.
Still water also refers to a geographical location. A still water is an area within a stream where there is no current.
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What is still water?
Still water in the context of water is the water you probably drink on an everyday basis. This water is completely colorless and almost tasteless, though there are still distinct differences in taste among still water from different regions around the world. Still water is cool and refreshing, and it is an essential part of everyone’s life. About 5.4 billion people around the world consume still water from safe sources on a daily basis. Still water is also the most common source of bottled water around the world.
Tap water, a very popular kind of water in Western countries, is, for the most part, still water. There are some restaurants that have sparkling water fountains instead of tap water, and in these cases, tap water is not still water.
Still water is safe to drink if it comes from a safe source such as water bottles or clean water taps. If still water is sourced from a pond, a lake, or a stream, it certainly is not safe and it could cause serious diseases. You will have to boil it first to make sure that it is safe for drinking. If you can filter all the impurities within the water, then it will even be better.
Still water vs sparkling water
Sparkling water is the other popular form of drinking water. Though both still water and sparkling water are drinking water, and both are safe for consumption, there are a lot of differences between them.
The biggest difference lies in the fact that sparkling water is carbonated. The carbonation process can either be naturally occurring or completely artificial. This process will also increase the pH level of the water, which will acidify it a little bit. It is thanks to this carbonation process that sparkling water gets its unique effervescent taste and bubbly texture. For people with digestive issues, this sparkling texture will help to ease the discomfort.
Whether sparkling water is a healthier alternative to still water is still a hotly-contested matter. In most cases, both still water and sparkling water share the same degree of healthiness. People with digestive issues might enjoy sparkling water more. People with an unhealthy relationship with sugary drinks will also find sparkling water more enjoyable, as the fizzy taste will somewhat lessen their craving for sugary drinks. In these cases, sparkling water is clearly the healthier option. However, in most cases, both still water and sparkling water are healthy, so it is entirely up to your own preferences.
Benefits of still water
Still water is the original form of water, and it is colorless as well as tasteless. This means that it is extremely easy to consume, making it easier to become the staple resource around the world. Some people might not be into the effervescent taste of sparkling water, and still water will help them to stay well-hydrated no matter the taste.
Then there is the matter of prices: Still water is considerably cheaper than sparkling water, because it is available in almost every place in the world. The same cannot be said to sparkling water, which is much rarer. Naturally-occurring sparkling water is produced only in specific regions around the world, and bottled sparkling water is almost always more expensive than bottled still water. Thus, still water clearly has an advantage over sparkling water in this case.
Still water as a geographical feature
Still water can also refer to a geographical zone. In this sense, a still water is an area of water that does not have an active current. It could be a lake, or a part of the stream that is particularly peaceful, with no rushing stream. A still water is a reliable source of water itself, and many cities are built around these geographical zones. In fact, Stillwater is a popular name for towns due to the fact that these settlements are located close to these geographical zones.
Still water is an important resource for human life. Without a reliable source of still water, humans would never have developed civilizations, and still water’s convenience makes it possible for billions of humans to do their daily tasks. Still water is also used to denote a body of water where there is no current of water running.