Bad water kills whereever people are even today. Any ground water has the potential of being contaminated. Well water is usually safe because its been filtered.
Yes sand and earth will act as filters. To discount the dangers of bad water is just ignorant.
I’m not discounting anything about the dangers of bad water, and am quite offended by your statement.
Dysentery can kill you. Does that exist in most surface water in America?
Nope.
Cholera can kill you. Does that exist in most surface water in America?
Nope.
Giardia can kill you, although it takes many years sometimes. Does that exist in most surface water in America?
Nope. But it DOES exist in my locale.
Lead and other heavy metal contaminants can kill you. Does that exist in most surface water in America?
Nope. However, it does exist in deserts and near industrialized sites.
I’ve drank surface water (streams, lakes, ponds) since I was a kid. Do I do it every day? No. But I am prepared to do it if need be, I have gallons of bleach and quarts of iodine solution stashed.
You can freak out over water all you want. But don’t call me ignorant. You sound like the type who would be so scared to drink it that finally, you would just crack and start sucking down water near where people have died or been puking or whatever.
Fine. Have it your way.
BTW, I’m near 60, the ethanol will kill me way before whatever’s mixed in the H2O!