DayZ field wiki · Survive
Ponds and lakes
A delayed death unless you treat it
Short answer
Looks like a well. Isn't. Tablets, charcoal, or a boil. Hands in a pond are optimism.
Also: pond · lake
How it works
Standing water in the woods is dirty. A well or village pump is the first landmark that matters.
What to do
Prefer the pump. If you must, bottle it and treat it.
Don't
Don't invent sickness timers.