Let’s talk about water. You know, that thing we all need to survive but sometimes take for granted. Turns out, science is making some pretty big waves (pun intended) in how we clean it, use it, and even think about it.
First up, let’s dive into seawater desalination. Because freshwater supplies expected to meet only 40% of global demand by 2030, we’re going to need all the H2O we can get. A team of researchers from Rice University have developed a new purification technology that’s not only more environmentally friendly but also cuts costs by up to 15%. That’s about 20 cents saved per cubic meter of treated water.
Now, 20 cents might not sound like much, but when you consider that global desalination capacity was 95 million cubic meters *per day* in 2019, those savings add up to a whopping $6.9 billion annually. For big desalination plants like San Diego’s Carlsbad Desalination Plant, that could mean millions of dollars saved every year. And more savings could mean more access to clean drinking water for everyone.
But here’s the cool part: the technology doesn’t just save money—it’s also smarter. Traditional methods of removing boron (a tricky chemical often found in seawater) require adding a base to give it a negative charge so it can be captured. This new method skips that step entirely by splitting water into hydrogen and hydroxide ions using electrodes. The hydroxide ions attach to the boron, making it stick to the capture sites. And once the boron is out, the hydrogen and hydroxide ions recombine into plain old water. No extra chemicals, no extra energy. Just clean, boron-free water.
Speaking of clean water, let’s talk about the myth of “raw water.” You know, the idea that unfiltered, untreated water is somehow better for you because it’s “natural.” Spoiler alert: it’s not.
Back in the mid-1800s, physician John Snow traced a deadly cholera outbreak to contaminated water from a single pump in London. Around the same time, Louis Pasteur was proving that microbes in liquids like milk could cause disease. These discoveries led to the massive infrastructure projects of the 20th century that keep our tap water safe today.
But somehow, the idea that raw water is healthier has made a comeback. Some claim it’s full of essential minerals and probiotics. Here’s the thing: the minerals in water are too small to be filtered out, so your tap water still has them. And as for probiotics? There’s no evidence that raw water contains health-promoting bacteria. In fact, the amount of bacteria in raw water would vary wildly depending on where you are—and not all bacteria are the good kind.
Oh, and those anecdotal claims about raw water giving you smoother skin or more energy or that it just tastes better? Probably just the placebo effect. In fact, a 2018 study found that most people actually preferred tap water over bottled water in a blind taste test.
But let’s not forget where our water comes from. There’s no “new” water on Earth—it’s all been here for up to 4.5 billion years, moving through the hydrological cycle. The water you drink today might have once been part of a dinosaur’s bath.
But before it reaches your tap, it goes through a lot. The quality of your water depends on local geology, what’s happening in the source water areas, and how it’s treated. Standard processes for treating that water include removing particulates (like soil and sediment), filtration, disinfection (to kill bacteria and viruses), adding fluoride to prevent tooth decay, and adjusting pH to balance the chemistry.
The bottom line ? Water is complicated. But thanks to science, we’re getting better at cleaning it, understanding it, and making sure it’s safe for everyone. Whether it’s through smarter desalination, debunking myths about raw water, or tackling contamination, the goal is the same: to keep the water flowing and to keep as many humans alive as possible.
So next time you turn on the tap, take a moment to appreciate the journey that water’s been on. It’s been through a lot—and so have the scientists working to keep it clean.
Articles Referenced:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-024-00362-y
https://theconversation.com/how-we-treat-catchment-water-to-make-it-safe-to-drink-242206