What is high quality drinking water like?
High quality drinking water should not contain foreign bodies, hazardous chemical elements and bacteria and harmful additives. Water can be called drinking water when it complies with all the applicable national standards. In addition the water must be bottled in accordance with sanitary and hygiene standards and be suitable for cooking.
The drinking water consumed by us has a considerable effect on our health as water supports the organism’s life processes and is one of the bases of our life.
Drinking water is classified by two main characteristics:
- Way of consumption
- Level of mineralisation
Way of consumption
| Name of the water | Level of mineralisation, g/l |
| Table water | < 1.0 |
| Mineralised table water | 1.0-2.0 or less mineralised, but not containing iodine, boric acid, or other biologically active micro-components |
| Mineralised healthy table water | 2.0-10.0 |
| Mineralised healthy water | 10.0-15.0 or less mineralised, but not containing iodine, boric acid, or other biologically active micro-components |
Level of mineralisation
| Name | Mineralisation, g/l |
| Not mineralised | < 1.0 |
| Slightly mineralised | 1.0-2.0 |
| Less mineralised | 2.0-5.0 |
| Medium mineralised | 5.0-15.0 |
| Highly mineralised | 15.0-30.0 |
| Salt water | 150.0 and more |
What harmful substances may poor quality water contain?
| Harmful substances | Source of pollution and the consequence |
| Nitrates,herbicides, pesticides... | Fertilisers and their components used in agriculture and small towns are washed into rivers, streams and lakes by rain. From there these harmful substances may get into tap water as well. |
| Chlorofos ja bensol | Industrial waste getting into a river may cause cancer. |
| Asbestos, lead | Get into tap water through water pipes after the water is cleaned. The main reason the poor construction quality of new communication systems. Upon getting into the human organism lead can cause neurological restlessness, especially in children. |
| Chlorine | Used in the course of the water disinfecting process. Not only gives a bad taste to the water, but also induces various allergic reactions. |
| Bacteria | Multiply inside household water filters. May get into filtered water, especially after the allowed usage time of the filter has passed. |
Ask yourself: "What kind of water do I drink every day?"