This material may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying without the permission of the copyrightholder Water in its many forms is essential to all life. It is the medium in which most living cells exist. Our bodies consist of more than two-thirds water which is constantly being eliminated, to be replaced through drinking. Water is also needed to grow food, without which we would die.
Water plays a fundamental part in our everyday life.
It is used for cleaning our bodies, our clothes, and many other household and personal objects. Water is used for heating and cooling, and for providing electricity as well as transportation. Most of us also enjoy playing in it-we swim, surf, snorkel, sail, paddle, ski, canoe and cruise. As well, children play with hoses and lawn sprinklers, with gushing fire hydrants, with water pistols, and with toys in the bathtub. But despite these rather innocuous sounding properties, water can also hold a variety of sinister features.