A common sense post about water

Rather bizarrely, in my opinion, Brussels officials recently announced that there is no evidence to prove that water can prevent dehydration, according to the Telegraph. As a result, producers of bottled water are now banned by the EU from making such claims on their packaging. Apparently at the centre of this debate is the argument that: “reduced water content in the body is a symptom of dehydration and not something that drinking water could subsequently control.”

Here’s an important, non-disputable fact about water: Unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and the lack of hygiene claim the lives of an estimated 2.2 million children under the age of 5 every year. Source: UNICEF.

The issue of whether manufacturers of bottled water can make claims about the link to dehydration on their packaging is clearly a First World argument and one that the people in greatest need of clean, safe water don’t have the luxury of partaking in.

UNICEF’s range of Inspired Gifts this Christmas includes a range of products that help families gain access to clean, safe water, including water pumps, water kits and water purification tablets.

For just £8 you can buy an emergency water kit which will enable a family caught up in an emergency or natural disaster to collect, store and even purify water. For £80 you can buy emergency water kits for ten families.

For £19 you can provide 5,000 water purification tablets for use when families cannot access fresh, clean water. £360 provides a water pump that will help provide clean, safe drinking water for a whole community. Imagine that.

Access to clean, safe water saves lives. That’s a far more relevant issue in my book than any argument over the claims drinks manufacturers are legally allowed to include on their packaging.

Photo credits: UNICEF UK.

Comments

[mummy mania]

Once again, you bring the right issue to the front. Will defintiely be buying a couple of these presents - I;ve seen the difference clean water can make - well done you for keeping up the UNICEF banner.

[Midlife Singlemum]

A very important and timely (for Christmas gifts) post Rosie. Thank you for taking blogging to the next level every so often.

[Rosie Scribble]

What a lovely comment. Thank you, Rachel. x

[Rosie Scribble]

Thanks MM. Really makes you think doesn't it, that something as simple as water, that we take for granted, can make such a difference.

[water pump Philippines]

The things that are really very important are the ons that are mostly being taken for granted of, thinking that it's just there. Imagine living without water? Tsk. Thanks for sharing this to us.