The more you learn about water, the more you realise what a wondrous thing it really is. Helping to drive a number of essential bodily functions, keep plants and animals alive and fill our rivers, lakes and oceans, water is one of the most important elements on earth. But how much do you really know about H2O? These five facts might just surprise you.

1. We all use a lot of water

Did you know the average person uses a staggering 465 litres of water a day. By educating yourself just a little bit on how to use less water, you can significantly cut this figure and help conserve our vital supplies in the process.

2. Bottled water isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Though we assume water from bottles is pure and safe to drink, you might be surprised to learn that until 2009 federal regulators in the US didn’t require water companies to remove E Coli from their bottles. Even worse, in 1999 the Natural Resources Defense Council found that one brand of bottled water actually came from a well in an industrial car park next to a hazardous waste dump.

3. There might be more water under the oceans than in them

Though it might be hard to believe, scientists at Oregon State University have identified vast water resources hidden beneath the ocean bed. Though getting to it might be a problem, there’s a possibility that there’s actually more H2O available under the seas than in them.

4. A lot of people still don’t have access to clean drinking water

As Plan Global reports “663 million people don’t have access to safe drinkable water – that’s 1 in every 9 people”. Though on the plus side, Plan International also reports that 2.6bn people have gained access to improved drinking water since 1990.

5. Water can burn you

Molecularly speaking, water is a very sticky substance. It clings onto things like leg hair and plant leaves and intensifies the sun’s rays. As a result people with hairy legs can burn more quickly than those with shaved legs and plants that are watered in the middle of the day can be damaged by the hot sun.

To find out how you can ensure the water in your home is clean, pure and safe, take a look around our site or get in touch with a member of our team.