It is very difficult to protect surface water supplies from contamination because they are open to the atmosphere and receive wastes in many forms. It is always unsafe to drink surface water without treatment. The days of dipping a Sierra cup into a pristine mountain stream for a cool, refreshing drink are over. On the other hand, many of you probably drink your groundwater supplies without any form of treatment, and in many cases, the water is safe to drink. You can never assume that the water is potable by its appearance, however.
Many contaminants have neither color nor odor.
There shall be no man or woman dare to wash any unclean linen, wash clothes, nor rinse or make clean any kettle, pot, or pan or any suchlike vessel within twenty feet of the old well or new pump. Nor shall anyone aforesaid, within less than a quarter mile of the fort, dare to do the necessities of nature, cinse by these unmanly, slothful, and loathsome immodesties, the whole fort may be choked and poisoned.