Although astrophysicists may be considering the possibilities of the existence of life independent of water, in our neighborhood, water is the most essential life form nutrient. Considering the fact that 10 cups of water pass through us daily, we should think about what exactly is in that water.

Trace Minerals International, Inc. (TMI) in Gunbarrel is a Colorado Public Health Department certified clinical and environmental laboratory. Its mission is to test water regularly in accordance with current environmental protection agency (EPA) standards. The EPA regulates public water.

The current explosion in bottled water sales suggests that many people are thinking about it. However, bottled water may not be all it's cracked up to be either.

Naturally occurring water contains things we may not think about, such as minerals, elemental metals and even bacteria. That "mineral water" at the store is a misnomer since the only water you can find without minerals is distilled water. Having minerals in water is quite natural and can certainly be beneficial since our bodies require many of them.

Whether you are on a municipal water system, a well or a cistern, the water you drink contains many elements. The main concern to public health is that water intended for drinking may have bacteria. Chlorine can be added to the water to kill bacteria.

Bacteria, such as fecal coliform, e. coli, heavy metals and other toxic elements, are dangerous in drinking water. While bacteria are likely the heartiest organisms in the universe and present everywhere, animal fecal coliforms and e. coli can cause illnesses such as typhoid, dysentery, cholera and hepatitis.

Fecal coliforms can often be found in small municipal water systems and well or cistern water. E. coli also is found in turbid or stagnant surface water.

Heavy metals can be found almost anywhere, but the major concern is the concentrations of these metals. Everyone has arsenic in his or her body, but at certain levels, it can kill.

Chlorination and other treatments such as reverse osmosis or iodine kills most bacterial threats. Ultraviolet light treatment will also kill most bacteria. Reverse osmosis can also remove heavy metals.

Other elements found in drinking water that can cause concern are nitrates, acidity and alkalinity (pH) and dissolved solids. Of a more recent concern locally is uranium.

Naturally occurring uranium is everywhere. The average person consumes naturally occurring uranium every day. There is about 2 parts per million of uranium in most soil, food, air and water.

In the Rocky Mountains, where the rocks are very old, uranium can be more common than this.

It is uncertain what effects naturally occurring uranium has on humans, but studies of animals have linked lung cancer and kidney disease, as well as altered reproduction and fetal development, to large amounts of uranium in food, water and air.

Uranium decays and emits alpha radiation that does not pass through human skin. Ninety-nine percent of the natural uranium we consume passes through us and never enters our blood. The remaining one percent will enter our blood mostly to be passed through the kidneys and excreted in a few days. Some of the uranium that enters the blood will be stored in the skeletal structure for many years.

Therefore, it is generally recommended that you test your water for bacteria, nitrates, pH and total dissolved solids. There are other tests that can also be performed inexpensively that may give you an array of information about what is in your water, and what certain elements may mean for you and your water system.

A suite of tests called the "Safe Drinking Water Panel" from TMI will indicate levels of 21 trace elements - including Uranium, six macro elements, total/fecal coliform, sulfate levels, nitrate and nitrite levels, total dissolved solids, hardness level and the pH of a water sample.

TMI also tests urine, blood, finger and toenail, hair and saliva specimen for trace element and mineral content as well.

Toxic levels of certain elements, such as aluminum, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, lead, nickel and mercury may also be found in water systems and are included in the TMI tests.

Bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. In cases where the bottled water remains within the state, the Colorado Department of Public Health regulates it.

One difference between public water and bottled water is that public water is disinfected by chlorination, while bottled water is disinfected using ozone treatment. While ozone treatment has none of the taste or odor of chlorination, chlorine generally provides residual disinfection, while ozone treatment provides residual disinfection for only a limited time.

So, is bottled water better? It seems to come out roughly even, though bottled water will not have the chlorine flavor or odor.

What's in your water? There is an easy and inexpensive way to find out!

TMI, Inc. located at 6545 Gunpark Dr. in the Gunbarrel Shopping Center. For further information, telephone Office Manager Chad Winterland at 303-530-5135.