What are examples of raw water sources?

Raw water sources refer to unprocessed and untreated water that has not undergone any purification or disinfection processes. Untreated seawater and untreated freshwater both fall into this category because they are sourced directly from natural environments without any alteration or treatment to make them safe for consumption.

Untreated seawater, for instance, comes directly from oceans or seas, containing a high concentration of salts and other minerals. Similarly, untreated freshwater can be sourced from rivers, lakes, or groundwater, which may contain various microorganisms, sediments, and organic matter. Both types of water require treatment to ensure safety for human consumption or other uses.

In contrast, other options present forms of water that are either treated or processed, therefore not qualifying as raw water sources. Freshwater and treated water, for example, have undergone processes to make them safe and suitable for drinking. Packaged field water and municipal water are also treated and processed, hence do not represent raw water.