In article , Jim Murray
wrote:

While we're here would anyone know if it's safe to drink boiled
lake/river/canal water?

-Boiled- is fine. Note though that if you wash your crockery in cold river
water and then eat off it there is a chance you have consumed unboiled bugs.
I will occasionally drink direct from the river or lake - but not the waters
I coarse fish. Be especially cautious on slow waters where there is a large
rat population.

Boiled is ok though.

Cheerio,

--