What is the best way to ascertain the quality of water from a spring to determine if it’s safe to drink or not?
In order to answer this question we must first define what is meant by “safe” or “unsafe”. Typically we are referring to two separate subjects when we talk about the Safety of Water. The first is the issue of bacteria contamination, and the second of chemical contamination. Water is of course a key component of all life on Earth, and whenever water is present there is the possibility of water “springing to life” with bacteria. This is why municipal systems “dis-infect” city water supplies. They do this for a couple of reasons. Often the water quality (because of the necessary quantities) that a town or city begins with is poor. This water is sourced often from surface water, such as rivers and lakes. Because this water is part of the eco-system it requires “sterilization”. Many municipalities derive their water from a ground water (underground) sources, such as wells, which are waters that have been brought up from “below the eco-system”. Though this Water is “clean” with regard to bac
