Fresh water is vital to human life and wellbeing. Freshwater ecosystems, such as wetlands and rivers, also provide crucial regulating services, such as water purification, flood mitigation and the treatment of human and industrial wastes.

Rivers and streams are unique among ecosystems as they are continuously flushed with a fresh supply of water from upstream. Organisms must either swim continuously against the current or attach themselves to the bottom or some other fixed object (Figure 1). Lakes and ponds are classified based on their nutrient levels.

Freshwater ecosystems are important because they provide us water for drinking; energy and transportation; recreation, like boating and fishing; and many jobs, like fishermen and researchers. One way that people use rivers is to produce hydroelectric power.

It is important because it is needed for life to exist. Many uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. Virtually all of these human uses require fresh water.

Only about three percent of Earth’s water is freshwater. Of that, only about 1.2 percent can be used as drinking water; the rest is locked up in glaciers, ice caps, and permafrost, or buried deep in the ground.

For example, Iceland makes the top 10 at $57,189, but the island’s population is only around 342,000 people. Similarly, Luxembourg’s population is just under 633,000—but it’s the richest country in the world on a per capita basis….Mapped: The 25 Richest Countries in the World.

Rain water

Distilled water is sometimes called demineralized or deionized water. It is water that has everything removed including ions and minerals. It’s the purest form of water that you can get. It literally has nothing in it (good and bad). This means it has no contaminants, bacteria, minerals or nutrients.

1. Fiji.
2. Evian.
3. Nestlé Pure Life.
4. Alkaline Water 88. Even though there was no official report on the quality of Alkaline Water 88 (NASDAQ:WTER), the brand holds Clear Label, which guarantees safety of a product.
5. Glaceau Smart Water. This “smart” water is nothing special, so it seems.

The 10 Healthier Beverages (besides water)

• Green Tea.
• Orange Juice. Image: © Brent Hofacker/Fotolia.com.
• Beet Juice. Image: © Printemps/Fotolia.com.
• Hot Chocolate. Image: © olyina/Fotolia.com.
• Kale Juice. Image: © ckellyphoto/Fotolia.com.
• Lemon Juice. Image: © Andrzej Tokarski/Fotolia.com.
• Ginger Tea. Image: © olyina/Fotolia.com.
• Cranberry Juice. Image: © bit24/Fotolia.com.

Shun unhealthy, opt for the healthiest drinks in the World

• Water. Why wouldn’t the drink that literally keeps us alive be on the list, and that too on the top?
• Coconut Water.
• Pomegranate Juice.
• Green Tea.
• Cranberry Juice.
• Ginger Tea.
• Hot Chocolate.
• Orange Juice.

Coke Zero is sugar-free. However, the sugar substitutes it contains may not necessarily be a healthier option for people looking to reduce their risk of diabetes. A 14-year study in 66,118 women observed an association between drinking artificially sweetened beverages and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes ( 16 ).