Humans have a natural affinity for water. From jumping off waterfalls to building homes on lakeshores, there's no denying the gravitational pull water has on people all over the world. We use it for recreation, seek its refuge in the heat, and rely on it to sustain life on Earth. 70% of the planet is covered by water, and yet only 3% of it is freshwater. Of that small percentage, two-thirds of it is frozen or otherwise inaccessible. With an estimated 326 million trillion gallons of water on the planet, water is an essential item that is steadily transforming into a luxury good in the wake of the climate crisis. Along with the looming threat of rising sea levels, access to drinking water remains a significant issue plaguing various parts of the world. The truth is that we are using freshwater faster than it can be replenished. The high demands for water come from a growing population and the industrialized agriculture sector while in the midst of global warming. With all this to consider, how do we create a system for tap water that is both healthy and sustainable?
