Except for a small number of homes that have their own private wells, most of us get our drinking water from the public water supply system. In general, tap water is regulated by government authorities and is required to meet drinking water standards.

However, water that flows over land and through rivers and lakes can dissolve limestone, calcium and magnesium salts, and other naturally occurring minerals. Depending on its mineral content, this can make water hard or soft.

With today’s advanced technology comes a vast amount of industrial waste and environmental pollution. Whether hard or soft, water can contain naturally occurring minerals and, depending on its source, various chemical contaminants. Boiling water kills most bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, but it does not remove most dissolved minerals or many chemical contaminants. If boiled water is stored improperly, it can also become contaminated again. Therefore, water quality depends not only on whether it is boiled, but also on its source, treatment, and storage.

Some contaminants in drinking water can pose health risks when present at sufficiently high concentrations or when exposure occurs over a long period. Depending on the contaminant, long-term exposure can affect organs and contribute to certain chronic health problems. This is why drinking water standards are established to limit potentially harmful substances and why water quality is monitored and tested.

Water is essential for the body and plays an important role in transporting nutrients and removing metabolic waste through processes such as urination and sweating. However, water itself is not a universal solvent for toxins, and drinking more water does not necessarily remove harmful substances from the body.

Today, scientists understand that human aging and death have many causes and involve complex biological processes. Proper hydration and the effective elimination of metabolic waste are important for health, but they are only part of the much larger picture of human health, aging, and disease.

By Michael Chiu, MWS, CI
Previously published in Ming Pao Daily News – Updated and Revised in 2026