Water is a fascinating thing. It’s what we need to survive, with the average adult actually made of 50 to 65% water. It’s also what we need to thrive, the body after all uses water in all its cells, organs and tissues.

Despite its roles within the body, you are constantly losing water through sweating, breathing and digestion. The only way to ensure these vital supplies are replenished is through proper hydration.

In the UK, we’re lucky enough to have access to the cleanest and safest tap water on the planet. Tap water is therefore used widely across the country to drink, prepare food, and bathe.

Here we reveal some interesting facts that’ll mean you’ll never look at tap water the same again!

We use 143 litres of tap water per person per day

In England and Wales, each person uses a whopping 143 litres of tap water per day. Whilst this pales in comparison to Scotland (165 litres per day per person) and Northern Ireland (145 litres per day per person).

This figure is even more shocking considering that the average African family uses just 23 litres of water per day.

Reducing our tap water usage at home isn’t just beneficial for the environment, it’ll save you money too as Waterwise explains:

“Installing simple devices such as water-efficient taps and showers will save both water and energy by minimising the use of heated water. About 20% of a typical gas heated home’s heating bill is from the water for showers, baths and the hot water tap.

So, even if you don’t have a water meter you could still be saving money on your energy bill. Such large financial savings can be particularly vital for households facing water and energy poverty.”

Read our guide to saving water at home for more top tips.

1 in 3 people don’t have safe drinking water

As we mentioned, we’re very lucky to have safe drinking water in the UK. But safe water is not a given in other parts of the world.

There’s a long list of countries that don’t have clean, drinkable water. In fact, inequalities in accessing water, sanitation, and hygiene are experienced by more than half of the world’s population.

UK tap water is actually safer than bottled water…

According to this report from The Telegraph, tap water was proven to be safer than bottled water, which may come as a surprise to many bottled water enthusiasts.

Thanks to stringent testing and rigorous disinfection, tap water standards in the UK are particularly high.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) found that mains tap water in England was 99.96% compliant and therefore the safest tap water on the planet.

…but filtered water reigns supreme

Despite the high standards of UK tap water making it drinkable for all, there’s one water type that’s better than all the rest. Filtered water is the best, even when compared with spring, distilled and purified varieties.

Thanks to at-home filtration courtesy of our drinking water filter systems, the resulting drink is pure and completely free from impurities.

Tap water on the other hand may be safe to drink but still contains a long list of micro-organisms and chemicals, including chlorine and limescale. Depending on your location, your tap water may also contain fluoride, lead and microplastics.

Filtered water is odour-free too, which solves the problem so many people face when drinking tap water.

In addition to this, the cost of filtered water is far cheaper than it used to be with its 3p per litre price-tag making it much more affordable than bottled water.

Filtered water is highly convenient for you and the environment, with no plastic waste, or heavy bottles to transport from the supermarket.