3 minutes without air, 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water. Ever heard that one? It can vary, but the gist is true. You can have every other component for survival, but without water, you're dead fairly quick. Clean water is another matter. If you can't get clean water, you can enjoy such wonderful afflictions like Cryptosporodium, Giardia, Shigella, or the ever popular Rotavirus, Hepatitis, and Dysentery. (That one is really great!) If you can't get clean water, you'll suffer brutally later (believe me).

Get good water carriers, a pre filter treatment like the Aqua Mira, and drink with confidence. Carry some extra bottles in the car, keep your Camelback full, and make sure you know the source of the nearest clean water source should a contamination occur to the local supply.