Some facts about water supplies in a developing country:
(1) water delivered by tanker truck often is contaminated
(2) water sold in bottles may be contaminated (if the vendor fills an empty bottle with tap water)
(3) boiling water does not guarantee safety even when done properly
(4) storage of water in an improper container makes it prone to contamination
The safest water is bottled water from a legitimate source.
The best water that most people may enjoy is water that has all of the following:
(1) from an improved source (rainwater or water from a borehole)
(2) that is processed to remove debris and then adequately chlorinated
(3) that is stored in a proper container that minimizes contamination (see above)
Ceramic filters can deliver clean water but often are too expensive for people in a developing country.
Unsafe water involves 2 or more of the following:
(1) water from a source exposed to fecal contamination
(2) untreated
(3) stored in an improper container
Any water that is not safe or unsafe is of questionable quality. It often is capable of transmitting enteric pathogens to anyone who drinks it.
