A Literal Thirst for Understanding by Taylor

A Literal Thirst for Understanding by Taylor - October 2026 Scholarship Essay

I drink over 60 ounces of water every day, to the point where I can tell different water brands apart by taste. My strong affection towards water developed into an academic curiosity, leading me to conduct my own mini research project. I began researching how drinking water is monitored and regulated for citizens across the country. I combed through government and organization websites, trying to get an accurate understanding of the extent of the matter in the United States. According to the Environmental Working Group, more than 172 million people across the country are at risk of drinking contaminated water.

Before this, I had never even considered this being a major problem across the United States. I had assumed water contamination was due to viral outbreaks, unaware of the existence and prevalence of PFAS, known as "forever chemicals". I had associated water problems with places with limited resources. However, even though the severity of contamination may vary, the worst of it can lead to death. The lack of updated regulation in the government has allowed this problem to get out of control and for the problem to go unnoticed. It made me think more deeply about how access to safe drinking water can be limited, a fact that has led thousands to ingest contaminants that can lead to chronic illness. Buying water is not always affordable, yet it’s a necessity; people deserve to have clean water that is not harmful to them in their homes and to be informed of what they are consuming.

This mini project I conducted highlighted the importance of being aware of how the country handles life-sustaining needs. It made me look into food regulation as well, and helped educate myself on how to identify what may or may not be good for my body. It made me realize that this is a national issue and pushed me to question what I consume every day. This consciousness also gave me the ability to help educate others as well. Following my curiosity gave me new knowledge and a deeper understanding of the world I am part of.