#38: Don’t Trust the Water

The romantic idea of pure, clear water found in the wild is pretty much a thing of the past. The average body of water found in the wild is not safe for human consumption without purifying it. Even though the Natural Park Service says you should always purify natural source water before drinking it, there are a few basic survival tips to keep in mind.

If you come across a pond or puddle of stagnant water, do not drink it. Don’t drink it even if the water looks clear and clean. There could be harmful bacteria and viruses living in the water that our human eyes can’t see. Drinking contaminated water will do more harm than good to your body, no matter how thirsty you are.