Final answer:
Large cities obtain their drinking water from surface sources such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, while smaller communities often use groundwater.
Step-by-step explanation:
Large cities generally obtain their drinking water from surface sources such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, whereas smaller communities often use groundwater.
In urban areas, water suppliers procure and treat the water they provide from nearby surface sources or distant sources. On the other hand, smaller communities rely on groundwater, which is extracted from wells in aquifers beneath the earth's surface.
It is important to note that groundwater usually requires less treatment compared to surface water from rivers or lakes. Nonetheless, both types of water undergo treatment before distribution to ensure its safety.