Source water refers to the untreated water that is used as a supply for a drinking water system. This water typically comes from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs, or from groundwater sources such as wells. Source water quality can be impacted by various factors including pollution, land use practices, and natural conditions. It is important to protect and properly manage source water to ensure safe drinking water for communities. Research in this area focuses on monitoring and assessing the quality of source water, identifying potential sources of contamination, and developing strategies to protect and maintain the quality of these water sources.