I always filter/purify my water. I watched a work mate who got giardia while elk hunting in Colorado. He was not worth shooting for a month and a half. It raised hell with his work productivity and cost him financially as well. Water purification is cheap insurance in my opine.

I use a PUR water purifier (filter and chemical treatment) with a secondary charcoal filter on the discharge end to take out the "chemical" taste and coloration. I've filtered some pretty sleazy water and have had it come out tasting better than some tap water I've drank.

EKM