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Each of us is made up of 2/3 water, and we need to constantly top up on H2O to stay in good working order. Water is lost when we go to the toilet, and even though we may not notice it, through our skin and our breath.

Not having enough water in our system can cause tiredness, hunger pangs, dry eyes and skin, loss of concentration, headache, and over a period of time can, in extreme cases, lead to problems with the kidneys, liver, joints and muscles.

Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, said: "Drinking plenty of water every day is one of the simplest, and best things that you can do for your body. Choosing to drink water from the tap, means it's also one of the cheapest.

"Just a two per cent loss of water from your body can result in a 10 per cent drop in physical and mental performance, so it is important to make sure that we stay well hydrated at all times, whether at work, at home or at the gym. The Consumer Council for Water's top tips can help people ensure that they are drinking enough water during the day, no matter what their lifestyle."

The Consumer Council for Water's top tips to stay hydrated:

1. Start each day with a glass of water.

2. Try to drink a glass of water at set points of the day, with each cup of tea or coffee or with meals.

3. Carry water with you when you're out and about.

4. When at work, keep water close by to sip throughout the day.

5. The charity WaterAid offers free software you can download and install on your PC. During the workday, six messages will pop up to remind you to Drink More Water.

http://www.wateraid.org/drinkmorewater.

6. Keep tap water in a jug in the fridge so that it's always chilled. As a serving idea, add lemons, limes, or a sprig of mint to the water.

7. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. They have high water content, and can help keep you topped up. A tomato, for example, is 95% water.

8. Ask for tap! When eating out ask for a glass of tap water to be brought to the table with your meal or other drinks.

9. Have a glass of water on the bed side table when you go to sleep.

1. The cost of tap water means that the public receive around ten litres for every penny. A person can therefore drink the generally accepted two litres of water per day from the tap and over a year and it would only cost 85p.

2. Tap water is of extremely high quality and must meet stringent regulations, which are enforced by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

3. More information about the effects of dehydration, a hydration calculator, games, links, and tips on how to make sure you drink enough water can be found on WaterAid's website:

http://www.wateraid.org/drinkmorewater

Water for Health Alliance:

http://www.waterforhealth.org.uk

4. Information is also available on the benefits of water in the workplace through the Water@Work website,

http://www.wateratwork.org.

Consumer Council for Water

1. The Consumer Council for Water was set up in October 2005 to represent consumers in England and Wales.

2. The Consumer Council for Water costs each water customer 25p per year.

3. The Consumer Council for Water has gained £130 million from water companies in reduced prices and extra investments.

4. The Consumer Council for Water has to date taken up over 42,000 consumer complaints about water and sewerage companies, and secured £4 million in compensation and rebates for customers.

5. The Consumer Council for Water is a non-departmental public body reporting to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Welsh Assembly Government. It has a committee for Wales, and four regional committees in England.

http://www.ccwater.org.uk.

Thursday 8 January 2009 09:44
Consumer Council for Water

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