The Taste of Water

     Today in class, we were given different types of water for taste testing after we filled out a survey about why, how much, and how often we drink bottled water. The instruction was for us to rate the water as we drink it (yes, even when we don't know what we're drinking!). The ratings were based on the flavor, odor, and after taste. As we did the experiment, I came to notice how each type has their own unique taste. When the ratings and testings were all finished, the water brands were annouced. As I observed my results, Deer Park was the lowest (5/15), then Member's Mark Purified Bottled Water at Sam's (7.5/15), and tap water ranked top (9/15).

       After the activity, our class watched two videos related to bottled waters. From the videos, I discovered several things. In reality, tap water is the most affordable, tastiest, and the most environmental friendliest. So, what about the various bottled water brands that advertised their water to be cleaner, safer, and better than tap water? According to ABC's report on bottled waters, multiple researches had shown the fact that there's no difference between tap water and bottled water at all. In fact, many experimental results (such as the one we had in class)  also proved the taste of tap water is actually better than bottled water.

       In addition, the video clip 'The Story of Stuff' explained the process of water bottles and its negative impact (see video link). Before class ended, I stumbled upon the thought 'If we start saving the money we used on buying bottled water, it will more likely benefit the environment. We can also help people who don't have the opportunity to get clean water'. I'm glad to learn something very important by our activities in class today. 

Links to video: 

http://youtu.be/Se12y9hSOM0 (ABC News Story: Bottled Water)

http://youtu.be/_3QBZac3MSY (The Story of Stuff: Bottled Water)

How Do We Determine Water Potability?

    My most pressuring question from Student Worksheet 1' is 'How do we determine if water is potable?'. So, I did a research on it today in class. I found a link that I believe contains my best interest. The link is http://www.water-testing.eu/water-tests/potablewatertest.asp.

     If you wonder how I determined if the resource is reliable or accurate, here's what I searched for. The site is created by South East Water Scientific Services, a company in UK.  I find this reliable and accurate because they provide other links to their different types of services, phone number, address, and their company number. I also looked up the name, and they do water testing as one of their services.

      On this site, I found informations that helped me answer my question is some type of way. I learned that a potable drinking water does not contain enough salt to be recognized as a mineral water, and it tastes good. It must also be free from contaminations such as diseases causing organisms (pathogens), odor, harmful chemicals, and turbidity. Last of all, it's best to do routine tests once a year.

The 'DMHO' Water

    This morning in my English 1 class, my classmates and I received an instruction to visit a website called www.dmho.org. This page is all about the harmful chemical known as DHMO (Dihydrogen Monoxide). I clicked on one of the side bars that was titled as 'Editorial: Truth About DMHO'. It automatically sent me to a page where I learned some important informations about DMHO: Dihydrogen Monoxide is killing uncounted thousands of people, it is used in the production of foods, also contributes to the Greenhouse Affect, its impact on wildlife is extreme, and it has been found in cancer patients. And, the practice of companies dumping DMHO waste into lakes, rivers, and oceans is still legal!

    As I read through the information provided by the website, I questioned why there's barely any action of response taken by the government to the use of this harmful chemical. My thoughts began to fill up with curiosity. Soon, after most of us (students) finished reading, we were given a topic of discussion on what it does, how we feel toward this chemical, and what we think should be done. I definitely felt that the use of this chemical should be illegal. When we finally posted all our discussions on Schoology (one of the tools our school is using), the truth was revealed to us by Ms.Bacon (English 1 instructor): Dihydrogen Monoxide is simply water.

    Wow! How stupid, cheated, and shameful I feel during that moment? I was very ashamed. I thought about how horrible of a person to create a website or a webpage like that, and make it accessible to the public on the Internet. I started to blame my faults on the creator of the unreliable resource page. No matter  who I tried to blame, the fault is on me.

      I have learned from this experience that there are many legitimate websites on the Internet that seems real. However, they might contain false information. You never know if the resource is truly reliable. To find out if the information is accurate, you can do multiples researches online and look at the authors of the articles (etc.). If the different websites agree to, or include the same facts, then the information is more likely to be accurate and useful. The digital world is not always completely reliable. So, it's very very important to be extra-careful on how you use it. Avoid plagiarism.

Water

Water. I hear that word almost everyday. Either someone in the house would ask "Can you get me some water?" or my mom would tell me to drink 'water' everyday. I have learned that water is very important and necessary for our health and well-being. As a person who love to play sports, I encountered some experience regarding the great value of water for humans. When I play in basketball tournaments at my middle school (DACS), I often thirst and longed for  water when I lose my endurance. In some cases, I was over dehydrated that I felt pain in the chest, and it's just horrible to the point I felt dizzy and tired and have to get out of the game.

As I mentioned earlier, water is very important for our body. Water is a great resource for our planet as well. Our planet is covered with more than or about 70% of water*.All living things like plants, and animals need water for survival. Water is also the source for the growth of civilizations since history. So how does all these relate water and freedom? I believe that in order to have freedom, you need to survive. And in order to survive and have good health, you need water.

*http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthhowmuch.html