The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development said dirty water is responsible for five million deaths yearly. It added that contaminated water accounts for about 80 to 90 percent of all diseases and more than one-third of deaths in developing countries.

"Microbiological and chemical contaminants can enter water supplies. These can be the result of human activity or can be found in nature. For instance, chemicals can migrate from disposal sites and contaminate sources of drinking water," according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"Animal wastes and pesticides may be carried to lakes and streams by rainfall runoff. Human wastes may be discharged to receiving waters that ultimately flow to water bodies used for drinking water. Coliform bacteria from human and animal wastes may be found in drinking water if the water is not properly treated or disinfected," the EPA added.

Compounding the problem is the presence of leaks and illegal connections that greatly affect our water supply. An Asian Development Bank (ADB) study showed that about 35 percent or one-third of Asia's urban water supply is lost or stolen because of busted pipes and illegal connections.

The ADB said that only 17 percent of public faucets are metered and only 60 percent of household, commercial and industrial meters are functioning properly. This makes consumers easy targets for cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and other water-borne diseases.

Because of the problems associated with tap water, most people buy bottled water for health and safety reasons. Unfortunately, that could take them from the frying pan into the fire, especially if they buy bottled water from questionable refilling stations.

Unlike bottled water manufacturers that are expected to pass rigid standards and follow good manufacturing practices set by the government, refilling stations in Asia often do not comply with these standards and some even operate without a license. Since they merely fill up empty bottles, how sure are you that the water you get from them is safe?

Another point to consider is their location. While the local sanitation code clearly states that refilling stations should be meters away from sources of pollution, flood, and other possible contaminants, some are housed in old dirty buildings and in highly polluted areas.

This is a sad considering that clean water is important for our health and well-being. Aside from eliminating toxins from the body, water prevents dehydration and makes you look and feel better. Without enough water, our skin will suffer greatly since body cells need water to function properly.

"If you don't replace the moisture you lose, your skin can't be replenished and will get very dry. When skin cells are dry, they crack, peel, and change colors. Dry skin can also be itchy and painful, as well as unsightly. Lotions and creams are just like putting a band-aid on a cut. It may help the problem in the short term, but the real healing comes from within. To properly hydrate your skin, you need to drink plenty of water," said NaturalYou.com.

To ensure you get safe water, Henry Hidell, president and founder of Hidell-Eyster Technical Services Inc., advised consumers to buy only bottled water from reliable sources. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water daily for healthy, wrinkle-free skin, more if you're active. You can also prevent wrinkles by using Dermaxin. This powerful cream penetrates the skin quickly to reduce wrinkles and restore your youthful beauty. For details, go to