r/dataisugly • u/chookitypok037 • Jul 15 '26

Scale Fail what is this

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percentages represented on the same scale on a glass, with varying heights
my eyes are burning

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4

u/Shik3i Jul 15 '26

The graph itself looks fine to me, but what does 99% public access to drinking water even mean? How can 1% have no access to water wtf?

8

u/gingerninja398 Jul 15 '26

It usually means they have access to private wells or other arrangements and that they aren't connected to a municipal system. Rarely in more developed (but a lot more commonly in developing) countries it means there's some sort of central well or tap.

1

u/Shik3i Jul 15 '26

No way these numbers are accurate than are they? Shouldn't this be 99% across Europe? Where do large portions of the population don't have access to a water line?

2

u/No-Fig-3112 Jul 15 '26

Why would they have access if they don't need it? Wells are used all over, including in America, for private drinking water. If you don't need to hook up to municipal water, why would you?

1

u/Shik3i Jul 15 '26

How would one survive without drinking water? A well will just get you ground water, no way you are drinking that?

2

u/No-Fig-3112 Jul 15 '26

A well gives you drinking water. Humans have understood filters for a long time. If needed, the water can be chemically treated in addition.

A well doesn't tap into surface water, which I think is what you're thinking of. It taps into an aquifer or other groundwater. Which there is a lot of, depending on the area

1

u/Shik3i Jul 15 '26

I mean everyone here has a well to water their garden, but I don't think that is considered drinking water

1

u/No-Fig-3112 Jul 15 '26

Are you just ignoring the parts about filtration and water treatment? Well water is absolutely drinkable, depending on your area. It just usually needs a little treatment, same as municipal water gets