Bill, you can tell if you're getting (and absorbing!) enough water by paying some attention to your urination. If you're peeing 3-4 times daily, and it's light-colored, then you're well-hydrated. If it's dark or less frequent then your body needs more fluid. If you withhold water to get your stool thicker you're very likely to regret it. I use soluble fiber (Metamucil, Konsyl, etc.) to bulk up the stool.