The Heat is on, Stay Hydrated!

Today marks the official start of summer, but the dog days of summer arrived last week! For a second straight week, temperatures will soar into the upper 90s and with the heat index, it will feel well over 100 degrees. Louisville Water urges you to stay hydrated with Louisville Pure Tap®.

Unfortunately, not everybody can escape the heat because their jobs require them to work outside. That includes Louisville Water crews. They’re still setting up new service lines, maintaining fire hydrants, fixing any main breaks or leaks that pop up, reading meters, etc.

Before heading out to their assignments, employees load the truck with plenty of water. Some take cooling towels while others prefer a wet rag to wrap around their head. Taking breaks in air conditioned-trucks or under shady trees is also very important.

It’s not uncommon for runners and walkers to pass by the Crescent Hill Water Treatment Plant. Recently, Louisville Water provided a refreshment break along Frankfort Avenue. Outreach Educator Barbara Crow set up a hydration station, offering cups of ice- cold Pure Tap. Joggers and a few four-legged friends stopped to fill up their cups.

Here are some important reminders to keep your body hydrated.

• Drink before you’re thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, your body has lost up to five cups of water.
• Grab a reusable water bottle. Keep a reusable bottle with you. Fill, drink, and repeat throughout the day. Pure Tap is the best value to stay hydrated, costing less than a penny a gallon. You also may want to fill and freeze a plastic water bottle so you can drink refreshing Pure Tap as the ice melts.
• Drink regularly if you’re working in the heat. Drink one cup (8 oz.) every 15-20 minutes.
• Drink water when sweating. Anytime you sweat, your body is losing water. Hydrate before, during, and after exercise.
• Don’t mistake thirst for hunger. It’s easy to confuse the two because sometimes you may feel hungry, but your body is actually thirsty.
• Don’t forget to keep your pets hydrated too!

Benefits of water:

• Helps your body maintain a normal temperature
• Lubricates and cushions joints
• Eliminates bodily waste through perspiration, urination, and bowel movements

Signs of dehydration:

• Dry mouth, tongue, cracked lips
• Extreme thirst
• Dark-colored urine (Check your status with the Pure Tap Hydration Chart)
• Dizziness and/or headaches
• Trouble concentrating or mental confusion
• Fatigue