| Ground water vs. surface water
All water supplies are drawn from either ground water, or surface water. Surface water lies on top of the ground, in a pond, lake, river or collection tank.
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| Microorganisms in private wells
Well water is ground water. That means it's been naturally cleansed, to some degree, as it moves through the earth. For this reason, ground water is usually free of organisms like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, though it could harbor viruses.
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| Microorganisms in public supplies
contaminants in the water come from human or animal waste; if ingested, they can cause gastroenteric diseases, or intestinal disorders. Public water supplies are therefore treated to eliminate these microorganisms.
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| Well water vs. city water
Those who live in rural areas may be too far away to hook up with the local water system. In that case, you may need a well. Not being part of the city supply has both advantages and disadvantages.
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