Drinking Water Away from Home. The quality of drinking water at home is not usually a concern, but drinking untreated water in the great outdoors can make you ill. So if you camp, bike, canoe, or are even just away at the cottage, make sure the water you drink is safe. Take these simple precautions. Avoid drinking water from visibly polluted streams, lakes, rivers and ponds.
Pollution can come from industry, agricultural practices and other sources.
Immunocompromised people should be particularly careful. Use only safe drinking water for brushing teeth. Periodically clean tanks and containers used to store drinking water. Water treated with chlorine or iodine remains drinkable for several days without refrigeration. Use water treated by other means within two days.