Many Americans express concern about tap water quality, and they are worried about more than just taste or smell. Instead, they want to know what’s actually in their water and whether it’s safe to drink.
All public tap water in the United States is technically safe because it’s monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency and treated by public water systems. However, quality varies significantly by location.
To analyze states with the best tap water, The Kitchn recently focused on three key indicators: regulatory compliance, oversight of public water systems and water contaminants.
Data came from two sources: The EPA’s Drinking Water Dashboard — which tracks violations and system compliance — and the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database, which reports contaminant levels against federal and health-based guidelines.
These metrics were weighted based on public health significance and standardized for fair comparison across states.
The rankings only apply to public water systems. Approximately 10% of Americans rely on private wells, which aren’t regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act and weren’t included in this analysis.
Here are the states where the quality of tap water is best, starting with the top state:
- South Carolina
- Hawaii
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Maryland
- Alabama
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- South Dakota
- New Hampshire
Lower-ranked states still have safe drinking water — they may simply have more Safe Drinking Water Act violations or higher contaminant levels compared to top-ranked states. With that caveat in mind, here are the states where the quality of tap water ranks lowest:
- North Carolina
- Nevada
- Wyoming
- West Virginia
- Delaware
- Ohio
- New York
- Texas
- Alaska
- Louisiana & Oklahoma (tied for last place)
Choosing the right water filter
If you are concerned about water quality in your area, you might consider purchasing a water filter. Before you do, note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says filters are only necessary if tap water contains harmful germs or chemicals, though filtration can improve taste regardless of contamination levels.
However, if buying a filter makes you feel a bit more comfortable with your drinking water, Consumer Reports notes that you have many different types to choose from, including:
- Pitcher-style filters. Our top-rated option excelled at eliminating chlorine while maintaining strong flow speed and long-lasting cartridges. Other models Consumer Reports evaluated suffer from sluggish performance, frequent blockages and cartridges that need replacement too often.
- Cabinet-installed filters. Similar to countertop models in their capacity to process large volumes, these systems free up surface space but require storage room inside the cabinet below your sink.
- RO filtration systems. These systems use your home’s existing water pressure to push water through a specialized membrane and additional filtration stages. RO technology effectively eliminates numerous impurities, including minerals and other dissolved substances.
- Faucet-attached filters. For straightforward setup, these units offer an excellent solution for purifying water used in drinking and meal preparation.
- Countertop filter units. Consumer Reports notes that installation is simple with these systems: You simply detach your faucet’s aerator and attach the filter directly to the spout. This design lets you purify substantial amounts of water while avoiding any permanent plumbing changes.
Add a Comment