What Carrying 9 Tons of Spring Water Taught Me About True Hydration and Wellness
We pull up to the freshwater spring just as the rain stops. A glimmer of sun cuts through the mist, and I take a deep breath and stretch. My mind, body, and soul crave movement and this simple act of filling up our water hits the spot.
I jump out of the car, grab the first jug, and set it under the steady flow of the spring. I watch as crystal-clear water rushes from the earth into my container. This water is pure, untouched by chemicals, filtered only by the layers of rock and soil it has traveled through for centuries.
As the container fills, I run my hands through the cool stream. This is the water we drink, the water we cook with, the water we use to wash dishes and shower. Every drop is carried by my hands from this natural spring.
I pack up our car with 40 gallons (320 lbs) of spring water, drive 15 minutes up the winding primitive dirt road to our ranch, and then carry the water up the side of the mountain by hand to the final stretch to our tiny house. I feel the weight throughout my body as I carry 10 gallons at a time, going back and forth until our tank is filled, never feeling like a burden.
It’s a reminder—a lesson.
Water is Life
Last year, while in our tiny home in Idaho, I carried over 9 tons of water. 9 tons! That’s about the weight of two adult elephants—or, in my case, hundreds of trips up and down our mountain. Or basically 700 lbs of water each week. (Great exercise, by the way.)
When you collect your water to survive, you become aware of every single drop.
I don’t like it. I love it.
It makes me feel human.
It makes me feel strong.
It makes me more mindful.
It makes me feel more connected to my ancestors.
It makes me deeply grateful for the water we have.
Before we moved to the mountains, I never considered running the faucet or how much water I used while showering or brushing my teeth. But when I must haul every gallon myself, I rethink everything and respect water more than ever.
And since today is World Water Day, I wanted to share some of the wisdom I’ve gained with hopes it might inspire a different perspective on your relationship with water.
Why Hydration Matters More Than You Think?
Carrying water has changed the way I think about it. But beyond gratitude, I’ve also learned how essential proper hydration is for your body.
Here’s what science tells us:
🌊 Your body is 60-70% water, and at the molecular level, you are over 99% water
🌊 Just 1-2% dehydration impacts brain function and physical performance.
🌊 In the U.S., roughly 75% of people are chronically dehydrated, which is linked to disease.
And the truth is, it’s not just about drinking more water—it’s about drinking healthy water.
Spring Water: Nature’s Best Hydration
Not all water is created equal. Since living in Idaho, we’ve become deeply connected to our natural spring water, and I’ll tell you—it’s different.
Unlike tap or purified water, spring water comes straight from the earth. It is naturally filtered through rock and soil, picking up essential minerals along the way. That means it’s not just hydrating—it’s structured water that your body absorbs more efficiently.
Why Processed Water Falls Short?
Modern processing has stripped most of the water people drink today of minerals and structure.
💦 Reverse osmosis and distilled water remove everything—including beneficial minerals.
💦 Bottled water is processed with UV light and ozone gas, which kill natural probiotics and disrupt the water’s living structure. This is in addition to the plastic it uses.
💦 Tap water is often recycled wastewater treated with chlorine and fluoride, which can negatively affect the body over time.
On the other hand, spring water retains its natural mineral balance and molecular structure, providing the highest-quality hydration available in nature.
The Water We Drink Shapes the Water We Are
The quality of the water we drink shapes the quality within us.
I didn’t fully grasp this until I started drinking fresh spring water daily. It’s not just about taste—it’s about how deeply and efficiently your body absorbs it. And trust me, you can feel the difference.
When we returned to Baltimore, I tested this. We’re lucky to have a spring nearby, but one day, we ran out, and I had to drink our regular filtered water instead. Now, we have a whole-house filtration system, so it’s the best option in the city. But still, something felt off.
I drank the same amount of water, but two things became immediately clear:
💧 I got cramps and felt dehydrated. My body wasn’t holding onto the water the way it does with spring water.
💧 I had to go to the bathroom way more. My body processed the filtered water too quickly instead of absorbing it deeply like spring water.
That experience made me think about something I had read—scientists have discovered that the water surrounding DNA in healthy cells is more structured than in diseased cells. Meaning, how water is organized at a molecular level plays a huge role in how well your body functions.
And suddenly, it all made sense. The spring water felt different because it is different—it’s naturally structured, hydrating in a way that filtered water just can’t match.
Once you experience true hydration, it’s hard to go back to anything else.
A Personal Call to Action: Drink Mindfully
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from carrying 9 tons of water, it’s this: Water is sacred.
We need it. We rely on it. And we should respect it.
This World Water Day, I encourage you to:
💧 Check in with your hydration. Are you drinking enough? Pay attention to how your body feels.
💧 Appreciate where your water comes from. Do you know your water source? Look it up and learn about its quality.
💧 Reduce water waste. Small changes—like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth—make a significant impact.
💧 Explore spring water. If you’re curious, look up a local spring near you. Check out findaspring.org to learn more. And don’t forget to test it for drinkability.
Wherever you are today, take a moment to drink mindfully. Water isn’t just a resource—it’s a gift.
P.S.
Looking to activate your values of Spirituality and Unity with Nature? Check out MaryBeth’s Water Rituals and Ceremonies.