How Long Does Your Glass Of Water Stay Pure For?

Just how long a refreshing glass of water can turn into a dangerous drink?

09:28 21 August 2015

A cold glass of water is perfect to quench your thirst particularly on a hot summer day. But did you know how much time it takes for it to turn into a dangerous drink?

 

Just like the food we eat, water can go stale due to several factors and one of the key elements are changes in temperature. When chilled water warms up to room temperature, its real taste and smell are revealed. Also, during the process, the chlorine in the water evaporates, altering the taste further.

 

Susan Richardson, a chemist from the University of South Carolina, said: It’s very difficult to have a pure water sample for long.”

 

She added: “If you have [chlorine levels] like a swimming pool, that’s not good. But just a little bit of chlorine may make it seem refreshing.”

 

When the chlorine in the water completely disappears, other gases dissolve into the water, adding their own distinctive taste. A few days after this, the water will start to go rotten, with algae and microbes turning the beverage into a danger drink.