[Uncle Ike]

” We’ve got ground water real close to the surface, but it’s not suitable for drinking. However, in a SHTF situation you could have a shallow well with manual pump and suitable filtration so you’d at least have water. “

Keep in mind that your area supported large populations of people (native american, and your ancestors) with low-tech solutions to the problems you’re going to face — a little bit of historical research might pay dividends.....

[GonzoGOP]

"We’ve got ground water real close to the surface, but it’s not suitable for drinking. However, in a SHTF situation you could have a shallow well with manual pump and suitable filtration so you’d at least have water."

As long as it wasn't salty even with just a simple sand filter it would be good enough for flushing the toilet, watering the guarden, washing cloths. Those all take a heck of a lot more water than drinking and they can all be done with water that isn't suitable for drinking.