When Eddie Stone was talking about acquiring water in the BBC "SAS Survival Secrets" TV series, he pointed out that coniferous woods are often sprayed with chemicals, so you should avoid collecting water there. Apart from obvious places like the sides of busy roads, where plants will be contaminated by exhaust fumes, what are the signs to look for, and places to avoid, in collecting food and water?
How To Avoid Polluted, Plants, Water, etc.
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I would avoid water that comes from near farmland as often you get field runoff which is not safe
I think most water sources should be considered a potential hazard, even a sparkling mountain stream could have a dead sheep in it upstream, I always carry my own tap water or filter it from the cleanest looking source. As for plants, I think you have to use common sence. There is a gardening term used for, what to prune, it is D,D,D, Dead, Damaged or Diseased. I think you could use the same term for deciding what plant to pick. Like you say, avoid road sides and also fields where farmers spray, use your nod really................Jon
Always avoid standing still water were possible. More chance for a build up of pathogens, any water source where the surrounding flora and fauna look unhealthy. Remember that boiling water will kill all organic pathogens but will increase the concentration of toxic chemicals.