|  |  Importance of Water Our Earth seems to be unique among the other known celestial
    bodies. It has water, which covers three-fourths of its surface and consitutes 60-70 wt %
    of the living world. Water regenerates and is redistributed through evaporation, making it
    seem endlessly renewable. So why worry? Left: Children playing in Big Wheeling Creek. Photo: Courtesy of Karen Emmerth
 Actually, only 1% of
    the world's water is usable to us. About 97% is salty sea water, and 2% is frozen in
    glaciers and polar ice caps. Thus that 1% of the world's water supply is a precious
    commodity necessary for our survival. Dehydration (lack of water) will kill us faster than
    starvation (lack of food). Since the plants and animals we eat also depend on water, lack
    of it could cause both dehydration and starvation. The scenario gets worse. Water that
    looks drinkable can contain harmful elements, which could cause illness and death if
    ingested. |