I live in northern Alabama. We have a lot of underground springs here. Ask around see if your neighbors remember where any old wells are. Running water wasn't put in here out in the country until the late 1940's. You don't have to have a pump to get the water out of a well. You ever heard of a bucket and a rope?

You also might have clay. We have lots of clay here so I'm guessing you do also. Clay is one of natures great purifiers of water. If you can find an old well (the water table probably runs close to the surface. My well is only 10 ft deep) it might be what they call sweet water. The well on my property is what they call sweet water..in other words it comes out of limestone is pretty much pure.

Originally posted by Quantazero
Do not think spring water is pure and fit to drink. Toxins and agro waste has been seeping into our ground water for a long time now. Some may be okay but why risk it. The best way to have good clean water from any source is to distill it. Hell with a still you can turn that mud puddle into the finest bottled water. Then when you have plenty of water you could cook up some shine for trade. I have seen stills the size of beer cans, so make one yourself to match your needs. Drink Up!

well.. except when the blue sign on the side of the road says ...

"Drinking Water"...........it should be 99.9% pure, if not, I'm a gonna be a very rich man if i get sick on it.. ~!

in a temp measure, your hot water tank is full of clean water until you get a perm water source.

Originally posted by georgiaboy
I have been looking for the best to identify where fresh water springs may be located in my area(NW GA). I haven't really found a whole lot of information on this subject. I also would like to find out home to build a water purifier out of common objects. Any help with these would be greatly appreciated.
ETA: I may not have made myself clear. I know I can get water from a stream, river, or lake, but I am trying to figure out a GOOD way to locate spring or ground water that doesn't require the use of a pump.

edit on 7-2-2012 by georgiaboy because: clarification

Contact an experienced local well driller from the area that you're most interested in living. They keep logs on everything they've ever drilled... and they can usually steer you in the right direction. As far as purchasing property with wells already drilled and springs... contact a realtor. They have ALL that information. And make sure that there hasn't been any fracking done in the area. ALSO make sure that you have your water tested BEFORE purchasing... as you DO NOT want any nasty surprises.

look for artesian wells in your area, the water is filtered up through the ground and is potable. I am lucky enough to live on a hill side with an artesian well underneath us. And we live next to lake superior.....