This contribution is focused on the problem of water sources in relation to the possibility of their utilization for public drinking water supply of population and their protection. It also points at the fact, that there is apparently enough surface water on the Slovak territory. The average annual discharge of Slovak watercourses is 3300 m3.s-1 of water. In the year 1999 it was utilized only 2,2 m3.s-1 of surface water for waterworks purposes. The overwhelming majority of this water amount runs-off in a short time, therefore the task of the water management is to hold the maximum of water sources on Slovak territory, mainly for economic utilization. Similarly the groundwater sources, out of which registered exploitation water quantity is 75 m3.s-1 are really exploited in substantially less amount. For example, in 1999 it was utilized only 12,3 m3.s-1 for waterworks purposes. The reason for such low exploitation is mainly their qualitative status, what is connected with their protection.