Fresh water—one of nature’s most essential yet humble resources—is vital for life and health. As we mark World Water Day on March 22, it’s a reminder of just how critical this resource is. Sourced from underground reserves through wells, hand pumps, and boreholes, or from surface bodies like rivers and lakes, it does far more than simply quench thirst.
Fresh water often contains essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and bicarbonates that support several bodily functions—from bone and gut health to hydration balance and eye health. Compared with surface water, groundwater and spring water are typically richer in these minerals, making them an important natural source of nourishment for the human body.
Natural source of essential minerals
Explaining why natural water contains these nutrients, Dr Seema Dhir, senior consultant in internal medicine at Artemis Hospitals, told A Lotus In The Mud, “As water moves through the ground, it dissolves minerals from rocks and soil. These minerals are generally beneficial for health.”
She added that while water does not provide minerals in the same quantities as food, it still plays an important role in overall health. “Calcium helps keep bones and teeth strong, magnesium supports muscles and nerves, and potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure. Water may not supply as many minerals as food, but it contributes to daily mineral intake and helps maintain the body’s electrolyte balance.”
Fresh water intake and the hidden link to eye health
As we discuss water’s role in human anatomy, the eyes deserve special attention.
We often think of the eye as merely an optical instrument, but in reality it is a finely balanced biological system that depends on fluid stability to function well over decades, explains Dr. Shibal Bhartiya, clinical director of ophthalmology and program director of community outreach and wellness at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram.
“The tear film—the eye’s first protective interface with the world—is not just water but a sophisticated three-layered structure of mucin, aqueous fluid, and lipids that together maintain clarity, comfort, and protection,” Dr Bhartiya told A Lotus In The Mud.
“When hydration is inadequate, subtle changes can occur in tear stability and composition. Increased tear film osmolarity is now recognized as an important driver of ocular surface inflammation and symptoms such as irritation, fluctuating vision, and visual fatigue. What many people interpret as ‘just tired eyes’ is often the earliest signal of imbalance. Hydration is one such quiet but essential investment in visual longevity,” he added
Groundwater: The invisible backbone of freshwater supply
Globally, groundwater forms the backbone of freshwater availability. UNESCO reports that groundwater accounts for nearly 99 percent of the world’s liquid freshwater and is the source of roughly a quarter of the water used by humans.
Echoing this, Eklavya Prasad, a social development professional with nearly three decades of work in water, sanitation, and climate resilience across South Asia, said groundwater remains the largest accessible freshwater source worldwide.
“Globally, groundwater constitutes the largest accessible source of freshwater, accounting for about 99 percent of all liquid freshwater on Earth,” he told A Lotus In The Mud. “It already provides around half of the total volume of water withdrawn worldwide for domestic use, including drinking water.”
He added that groundwater is also central to urban water systems. “Nearly half of the global urban population receives water from groundwater sources, either through public supply systems that draw on aquifers or through private wells.”
In many regions—particularly across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia—groundwater offers the most practical and affordable way to extend water access to dispersed rural populations where centralized supply systems are limited.
“These patterns show that groundwater functions as an essential but often invisible backbone of drinking water security worldwide, supporting both rural communities and rapidly growing cities,” Prasad said.
Why the world increasingly relies on groundwater
With more than 70 percent of surface water resources polluted and nearly 160 million people lacking access to safe drinking water, groundwater is increasingly emerging as one of the most dependable options for daily consumption.
As reliance on groundwater grows, so does the need for reliable extraction systems.
Somen Bajpai, director and CEO of 20-year-old Aay Bee Engineers, which is based in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, says demand for pumps used to extract groundwater for drinking water supply has steadily increased in recent years.
“Many municipalities, rural water supply schemes, and private institutions rely on borewell and tube well systems to ensure a continuous supply of potable water,” he said. “As a result, there is consistent demand for efficient, durable, and energy-efficient pumps, particularly submersible and borewell pumps designed for deep groundwater extraction,” added Bajpai, who took charge of his company three years ago.
Natural water vs. purified water: What’s healthier?
From a health standpoint, the conversation also turns to how natural freshwater sources—groundwater, spring water, and well water—compare with treated or purified water.
“If the source of natural water is polluted, it may contain bacteria, heavy metals, and pesticides,” Dr Dhir said. “RO-filtered water removes many harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and microbes, making it safe for regular consumption. However, the filtration process can also remove naturally occurring minerals such as calcium and magnesium,” he added.
Long-term consumption of demineralized water, she noted, may reduce the intake of these essential minerals. “Ideally, people should maintain a balanced diet or use RO systems with mineral cartridges, as water can still contribute to meeting daily mineral needs.”
The growing challenge of declining water tables
Yet in many parts of the world, including India, this humble but crucial resource is becoming increasingly scarce.
Asked whether groundwater now needs to be accessed at deeper levels for drinking water, Bajpai said the shift has influenced the type and capacity of pumps clients demand.
“We’ve observed a clear decline in groundwater levels in Dehradun and surrounding Uttarakhand areas, requiring deeper access for drinking water. In Dehradun, the water table has dropped by roughly five meters over the past decade, with several areas in the Doon Valley now seeing levels beyond 20 meters below ground,” he said.
“This mirrors national trends where rural drinking water systems are drilling deeper borewells—for instance, from around 183 meters to 321 meters in parts of southern India over two decades—largely due to over-extraction for agriculture and urbanization,” said Bajpai.
As groundwater levels fall, demand has shifted toward higher-capacity submersible pumps capable of operating at greater depths.
“Municipalities, gram panchayats and rural households under the Jal Jeevan Mission increasingly require multi-stage, energy-efficient pumps with higher lift and flow rates—often five to ten horsepower or more—to handle water from deeper aquifers,” Bajpai said. “Solar-powered submersible pumps are also becoming popular in Uttarakhand for sustainable rural supply, supported by PM-KUSUM subsidies.”
How much water does the body really need?
For individuals, however, maintaining adequate hydration remains a simple yet vital step toward protecting overall health—including eye health.
“There is no universal number that applies to everyone,” Dr Bhartiya said. “Fluid requirements depend on physiology, environment, and lifestyle. For most adults, around two to three liters of fluids a day is a reasonable guideline—but consistency matters more than the exact quantity.”
A simple resource with profound health impact
Fresh water remains one of the simplest yet most powerful contributors to human health. Its natural minerals support vital bodily functions, help maintain electrolyte balance, and even protect delicate systems such as the eyes. But as groundwater levels decline and clean surface sources become increasingly polluted, ensuring access to safe, mineral-rich water is no longer just an environmental concern—it is a pressing public health priority.
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