Hydration Challenge Guidelines

There’s no getting around the fact that we all need water for our survival. It’s a fact of life. But much like the air we breathe or the food we eat, making sure you consume high quality water can improve your lifestyle, health, and your mental health to no end! But how do you know your water is the best it can be? Well, pH levels aren’t a bad place to start! pH levels tell you how acidic or basic (alkaline) your water is. Pure, unpolluted water will have a pH level of 7 which is neutral. More than 7 will show alkaline water, which is safe to drink so long as the alkaline is naturally occurring. However, less than 7 will show acidic water and that means a higher likelihood of contaminants. In fact, certain levels of acidic water have the potential to corrode metal pipes! So how do you measure the pH levels of your water? Well there are a number of methods anyone can use at home or in the workplace! pH Meter Find a clean glass or container and pour some water into it Let the water sit so the temperature can stabilise Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water Match the temperature on the pH meter with the water to ensure maximum accuracy Put the pH meter into the water and leave it in until the numbers stabilise. You now have your reading! Litmus Papers/ph Papers Learn the difference between the two. Litmus papers will only tell you if it’s acidic, neutral or basic. pH papers will give a more accurate reading. Collect a sample of water in a clean container that is deep enough to cover the test strip Dip the strip into the water. It should change colour. Compare the colour to the reference sheet given with your papers. It should give you a reading. _____ If you are concerned your water source may not be safe to drink from, contact your local water provider. If you have consumed or come into contact with water you believe to be contaminated, consult a medical professional as soon as possible.

Turn on any tap and watch the water flow out in front of you on demand. It’s something we take for granted in our daily life but when you stop and think about it, it’s a truly amazing thing! But do you actually know what’s in the water you use? How can you tell if you’re using good quality water to help your day flow smoothly. The average New Zealander’s water includes... ● Fluoride Fluoride is a natural element found in air, soil, fresh water, seawater, plants and lots of foods.Adding fluoride to public water supplies is a proven health measure to reduce tooth decay and strengthen teeth. Watercare adds fluoride to the metropolitan supply, except for the Onehunga and Huia Village districts. The amount of fluoride the Ministry of Health recommends is between 0.7 and 1.0 parts per million in drinking water. (Did you know…..adding fluoride to water has been listed by the United States Centre for Disease Control as one of the top 10 greatest health achievements of the 20th century!) ● Chlorine During the treatment process, chlorine is added to kill any harmful bacteria. Chlorine evaporates quickly and has been used effectively around the world for over 100 years. ● Lime Lime is added to protect the water supply pipes from corrosion, which means you’re protected from diseases associated with rusty metal like Tetanus. ● Filtration chemicals (Poly Aluminium Chloride & Polyelectrolite) Five sand filters are used to “polish” the water to a high degree of clarity and remove any residual floc particles. The filtered water is then piped to a covered clear water pond. The water is then chemically filtered to remove dirt, clay and fine silt to make the smooth, clean and fresh resource us and our families depend upon every day! Each of these plays a very important role in making your water safe to drink. Although the World Health Organisation rates New Zealand as having almost universal clean water access, only 77% of New Zealand’s water sources are safe to drink from. So here are some top tips to make sure you know what water you should put in your bottle: ● If your water looks cloudy or has a colour to it, it’s unsafe to drink. ● If your water has a strong smell to it, it’s not safe to drink. ●If your water has a slightly metallic taste, it’s not safe to drink. Clean water should be: ●Clear in colour ●Odourless ●No strange taste If you find yourself near an unclean water source or are unsure about the quality, sealed bottled water is a safe alternative to keep you hydrated and on the go! If you are concerned your water source may not be safe to drink from, contact your local water provider. If you have consumed or come into contact with water you believe to be contaminated, consult a medical professional as soon as possible.

Being hydrated is essential if you are looking to lose weight and get fit. You see, our bodies need water in order to be able to burn fat and for our cells to be able to synthesize energy. So being dehydrated makes it so much harder for our bodies to pump blood and oxygen when we are exercising. What’s more: If you exercise when you’re dehydrated, this could increase the likelihood of negative side effects such as fainting or feeling dizzy. Water is also important for helping to clear out the toxins and impurities in our bodies. All helpful when it comes to our workout regime and weight loss goals! So if you want the best results from your workouts, make sure you are increasing your usual intake of water!