Drinking water in this alternate timeline is typically not consumed by humans for direct hydration or as a primary component of their diet. Instead, humans have evolved to consume water-based nutritive drinks made from plants, meat, and fish. This practice has significant impacts on public and environmental health, as well as water conservation and treatment efforts.
Water remains a crucial component of human health and survival, but in this timeline, humans evolved to derive their hydration and nutrient intake from water-based consumables such as beverages made from plant extracts, meat stocks and fish juices. These drinks not only provide essential nutrients and hydration but also cater to the people's varying taste preferences. Few still consume water directly, but often for religious or ceremonial purposes.
As water is primarily used for cooking, cleaning, and ceremonial purposes rather than direct consumption, households rely on private water sources such as wells and catchment systems. These sources are carefully managed and maintained to ensure a consistent supply of clean water for non-drinking purposes. The use of public water systems has been largely abandoned in this alternate timeline, resulting in more decentralized and customizable water management.
Given the critical role water plays in every aspect of human life, various methods have been developed to treat and purify it, ensuring its safe use for cooking, cleaning, and other needs. These water treatment methods include boiling, filtration, distillation, and chemical disinfection. Treating water reduces the risk of contamination by pollutants, improving public and environmental health.
Wastewater treatment and recycling are prioritized in this alternate timeline due to the necessity of conserving clean water for various household uses. Wastewater treatment processes involve removing pollutants and contaminants through techniques such as sedimentation, filtration, and chemical treatment. Once treated, wastewater is often recycled and reused for irrigation, industrial processes, and construction activities.
The combined factors of minimizing direct consumption of water and maximizing water treatment efforts have led to a significant reduction in water-borne illnesses such as cholera and typhoid. Additionally, the focus on water conservation and recycling has led to an overall improvement in environmental and public health.
