eli5: When people used wells for drinking water, how did they not get sick? Was there some type of filter or was the water just naturally clean?

Question

eli5: When people used wells for drinking water, how did they not get sick? Was there some type of filter or was the water just naturally clean?

In: 6475

Answer 1

Many rural properties in the US are still fed by wells. The water is filtered naturally over a great deal of time by soil. You still are required to have a permit for a drinking well that checks things like where it’s placed, etc. It’s also wise to have your well tested periodically for bacteria, though there’s often a strong sulfur smell in that case that tips you off.