Note, for those thinking I'm foolish. This an example of the last decades. Amazon Tribes are forced to now use rainwater tanks with "taps"; since the Oil companies came decades ago the water in stream & rivers are not drinkable anymore.
So that's what I mean with a re-invention, tap-water is mostly needed due to human caused pollution.
Now were there pathogen in the rivers, for sure, did they get sick sometimes, most likely. Did it cause higher child mortality, I haven't been able to find data for or against that. But overall they were fine & it's up for debate whether those being exposed to small amounts of pathogens were a win or lose in the long run (some theories suggest our lack of pathogens are connected to auto-immune diseases & allergies)
Also our cities of course bring a lot of sewage issues causing another issue with water streams.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/28/a...
So that's what I mean with a re-invention, tap-water is mostly needed due to human caused pollution.
Now were there pathogen in the rivers, for sure, did they get sick sometimes, most likely. Did it cause higher child mortality, I haven't been able to find data for or against that. But overall they were fine & it's up for debate whether those being exposed to small amounts of pathogens were a win or lose in the long run (some theories suggest our lack of pathogens are connected to auto-immune diseases & allergies)
Also our cities of course bring a lot of sewage issues causing another issue with water streams.