Best Tap Water in the US: Which States Have the Best Water – Frizzlife

The best tap water in the US is not only about taste. It is about safety, low levels of contaminants, and how much you can trust what comes out of your faucet every day. Many people now worry about PFAS, lead pipes, nitrate, and other pollutants. According to the EPA, over 97 million Americans are exposed to contaminants in drinking water above health guidelines. So it makes sense to ask which states have the best tap water in the US, which ones struggle, and what that means for the water in your home.

This 2025 guide walks through the states with the best and worst tap water, how we measured them, and what is happening in places like San Diego, Williams Bay, and parts of New York and Louisiana. You’ll also learn how to check your own local water quality, what filters work for common contaminants, and how to decide if your tap water is safe to drink.

Quick rankings – which states have the best tap water in the US?

When people ask, “What state has the best tap water?”, they usually want a simple winner. In reality, water quality varies by city and even by neighborhood. But using national safety data, state reports, and taste awards, we can point to clear leaders and clear problem spots.

Snapshot: top 10 states with the cleanest, safest tap water

These states stand out in 2025 for high compliance with EPA standards, strong source protection, and often great taste:

South Dakota
Minnesota
Vermont
New Hampshire
Connecticut
Kansas
Missouri
Oregon
Massachusetts
Rhode Island

Most of these states have:

A high share of residents whose public water meets all EPA health-based standards
Strict state rules on PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other common contaminants
Strong protection of natural water resources, like forested watersheds and clean aquifers
A track record of winning national taste tests for best tap water

So if you live in one of these states, you are more likely to have high‑quality tap water, though you still need to check your local water report, because there can be problem systems even in “top” states.

Summary of states with the worst tap water quality in 2025

On the other side, several states have many systems with poor water quality or long‑running violations, often in rural or low‑income areas. Based on 2025 violation data and health‑based concerns, states with the worst tap water include:

New York
Louisiana
Maryland
West Virginia
Oklahoma
Massachusetts (hotspots, not the whole state)
Pennsylvania
Oregon (again, specific problem areas)

The main contamination issues in these states are:

Lead from old pipes and solder
PFAS, often near military bases or factories
Arsenic in groundwater
Disinfection byproducts like TTHMs and HAA5, formed when chlorine reacts with natural matter
Nitrate and nitrites from agricultural runoff

So who has the worst water quality in the US? There is no single “winner,” but systems in parts of New York and Louisiana stand out in 2025 data for large numbers of health‑based violations and high levels of lead, TTHMs, and other pollutants.

Comparison table: best vs worst states (2025 snapshot)

This table summarizes key patterns. Numbers are rounded and based on recent federal and state summaries.

Category	State examples	Approx. % of population in systems meeting all EPA health standards	Main strengths / issues
Consistent top performers	South Dakota, Minnesota, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut	90–97%	Strong source protection, few long‑term violations, good taste awards
Other strong performers	Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, Massachusetts, Rhode Island	85–95%	High compliance, but some pockets of lead or byproduct issues
States with major hot spots	Oregon, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania	Varies widely (60–90%)	Some systems are models; others have long contamination issues
Most serious widespread issues	New York, Louisiana, Maryland, West Virginia, Oklahoma	Under 80% in some analyses	High counts of health‑based violations, lead, PFAS, arsenic, TTHMs

These numbers show why you cannot judge drinking water quality by state name alone. The state’s water quality gives you a rough idea, but you still need to look at your own water system.

Which state has the safest drinking water right now?

If we define “safest” as high legal compliance, low contaminant levels, and good source protection, two front‑runners stand out in 2025:

South Dakota – Around 95% of people on public systems have water that meets all EPA health standards, and systems like Mid‑Dakota have earned federal drinking water awards year after year. The state relies on well‑protected rivers and aquifers and invests in water treatment plants and operator training.
New Hampshire – The state has some of the strictest PFAS rules in the US, often tighter than federal limits. Utilities must do regular testing for PFAS and other emerging contaminants, so residents often get early warnings and clear Consumer Confidence Reports.

You could also make a strong case for Minnesota, Vermont, and Connecticut based on their combination of clean water supplies, strong enforcement, and high customer satisfaction.

How we define and measure “best” tap water in the US

When someone says a state has the best tap water in the US, what does that really mean? It is not just about fresh taste. A state could have clean‑tasting water but still have contaminants like lead or PFAS above health guidelines.

Core metrics: safety, taste, reliability, and transparency

To compare states, we look at four main areas:

Safety. This is the most important factor. We look at how often systems meet EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) set under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These limits cover heavy metals like lead, arsenic, nitrate, TTHMs, HAA5, and many other substances.

Taste and mineral balance. Good‑tasting water usually has a pleasant mineral mix and no strong chlorine smell. States like Kansas, Missouri, and Minnesota have cities that win national best tasting tap water awards because their water is both clean and balanced in minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Reliability. Here we look at how often systems issue boil‑water notices, shut off water, or report treatment failures. States with strong infrastructure and quick repair teams keep these events rare and short.

Transparency. Every public system is required to provide a yearly Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). We rate states higher when utilities share clear, easy‑to‑read CCRs, track local water quality issues, and post extra information on PFAS, lead, and well water or city water options.

Understanding US drinking water regulations and EPA standards

In the US, most public water is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) together with state agencies.

There are two main types of standards:

Primary standards – These are health‑based and legally enforceable. They limit contaminants that can hurt health, such as arsenic, nitrate, lead, PFAS, microbes, and disinfection byproducts.
Secondary standards – These are guidelines for smell, taste, and appearance, like iron staining or hard water. They are not usually enforced by law, but they affect comfort and taste.

State regulators and local water treatment plants do regular testing and report results into the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). But there are limits. Some chemicals are not yet regulated, and health experts say that legal limits for some pollutants, such as arsenic and TTHMs, may not be as strict as new science suggests.

Data sources and methodology for state rankings

To build fair state rankings, we pull from:

The EPA’s SDWIS database, which tracks violations and water system performance
State Department of Health and environment reports on drinking water quality
National studies on PFAS are present in public and private water supplies
Results from water tasting competitions, which help judge taste but not safety

We give more weight to:

How many people are exposed to a contaminant above health standards
How long a violation lasts (a one‑day event vs a problem that goes on for years)
Whether the system has fixed the issue or if poor water quality is still ongoing

From raw data to rankings

If you picture the process, it looks like this:

Local systems take samples → labs test for common contaminants → results go to state agencies → serious issues trigger notices and fixes → final data go into national databases → we score and rank each state’s water quality by safety, violations, and transparency.

The key point is that these rankings are based on public data, not just opinions or taste.

Profiles of the states with the best tap water quality

Now let’s look more closely at some of the states with the best tap water in 2025 and what they do differently — especially the US states most water cleaned up through strict treatment standards and long-term investment in infrastructure.

South Dakota – consistent excellence and 95% EPA compliance

South Dakota often tops lists of best tap water in the US. Around 95% of people on public water systems have water that meets all EPA health standards. One large regional system has earned a federal Secretary’s Award for Drinking Water Excellence for more than 15 years in a row, showing strong regular testing and treatment performance.

The state benefits from:

Protected source waters, including clean rivers and aquifers with low natural contamination
Steady investment in water treatment plants, including modern filtration and disinfection
Training and support for operators of small systems

So if you ask, “What city has the cleanest tap water in the US?”, you will often see small and mid‑sized cities in states like South Dakota and Minnesota named as top contenders because they combine clean sources with strong treatment and few violations.

Minnesota case study – from source protection to award‑winning taste

Minnesota has a unique mix of lakes, rivers, and large aquifers. Many systems draw from the Mississippi River headwaters or deep wells with relatively low pollution. The state funds grants and training for public water suppliers so they can upgrade water treatment and stay ahead of new rules.

In 2013, the city of Duluth won a major “Best in Glass” taste award, showing that clean water can also taste great. Across the state, utilities host open houses, publish clear water reports, and push water testing in schools and child‑care centers. This focus on both safety and communication has helped build strong public trust.

New England standouts: Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut

New England is rich in natural water resources, and several states there rank high for quality drinking water.

Vermont often reports very high public satisfaction, near 97%, with public water systems. Many systems use mountain reservoirs and protected forests as sources. At the same time, some Vermont groundwater wells have radium or arsenic above strict health guidelines, so home filtration is still wise in some towns.

New Hampshire has been a national leader on PFAS. The state set some of the lowest PFAS limits in drinking water and requires wide‑ranging testing. This proactive stance means residents are more likely to know if PFAS are present and what is being done about it.

Connecticut is one of a small number of states that ban wastewater discharges in public water supply watersheds, which cuts the risk of pharmaceuticals and other waste entering water sources. Many of its systems also use advanced filtration and activated carbon to remove common contaminants and improve taste.

Together, these three states show how strict rules, protected watersheds, and strong lab testing can produce some of the best water in the country.

Other top performers: Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, Massachusetts, Rhode Island

Kansas has drawn attention because the city of Emporia has won the top prize at a well‑known international water tasting event. The state shows high EPA compliance, near 96% in some reports, and many systems pull from clean rivers and carefully protected reservoirs.

In Missouri, the city of Independence has placed at or near the top in global best tap water contests several times. These results highlight the benefit of good source water, steady water treatment upgrades, and careful water filtration system design.

Oregon and Massachusetts are interesting cases. Both have some of the finest protected watersheds in the US. Oregon’s water supply for major cities, such as the Bull Run system, starts as very clean untreated water in forested land. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority also manages large forested watersheds, so the water needs less chemical treatment and keeps a fresh taste.

Yet both states also appear on some worst tap water lists because of legacy lead pipes, disinfection byproducts, and arsenic drinking water contamination in certain small systems. This shows again that even a “top” state can have serious trouble in some towns.

Rhode Island often ranks high in national summaries despite its small size and limited publicity. Its systems tend to have good filtration, protection of water resources, and relatively few long‑term violations.

States with the worst tap water: risks, violations, and hot spots

Not every state has kept up with water treatment needs or aging pipes. Some regions still struggle with long‑term contamination and weak infrastructure.

New York and Louisiana – lead pipes, TTHMs, and systemic issues

New York has many large and small water systems. Some of them are models of clean, high‑quality tap water. But many others have heavy violation histories. Recent summaries show:

Hundreds of thousands of reported acute violations
More than 10 million total health‑based violations over several years
Ongoing issues with lead, HAA5, and TTHMs, especially in older systems

While New York City’s main water is famous for taste, smaller towns and older suburbs face levels of lead from old pipes and high disinfection byproducts from older plants.

Louisiana has another set of problems. The state has more than 140,000 lead service lines, plus aging mains and limited funding in some low‑income towns. Many systems report manganese, arsenic, and other carcinogens above ideal health levels. Some communities still deal with dirty or brown water when pipes break or when runoff enters systems during storms.

Maryland, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Oregon problem areas

In Maryland, a major concern is PFAS near military bases, airports, and industrial zones. Testing has found PFAS in many public systems and private wells, raising health concerns for millions of residents.

West Virginia and parts of Pennsylvania have long histories of mining and oil and gas operations. Runoff from these activities can bring heavy metals like lead and arsenic into rivers and groundwater. Some communities have lived with significant water quality issues for years, with repeated TTHM violations and concerns about spills.

Oklahoma faces nitrates in their water in farming regions, plus arsenic in some groundwater. Smaller, rural systems often lack money to upgrade to advanced RO systems (reverse osmosis) or granular activated carbon filters.

In Oregon, as mentioned earlier, large cities may have clean, well‑protected water, while other areas struggle. Some rural communities have faced arsenic and TTHM problems for almost two decades, affecting millions. This gap inside one state is a good reminder of why local water quality matters more than state averages.

Why some “best” states also appear on “worst” lists

It may seem strange that Oregon and Massachusetts show up in both best and worst tap water rankings. Here’s why.

Within a state you may have:

Big metro systems with modern water treatment plants, strong filtration, and tight EPA compliance
Small rural or low‑income systems stuck with old infrastructure, less testing, and limited staff

When analysts use state‑level data, these problems get blended together. So a state with two or three poor systems might still look “good,” and a state with two or three excellent systems might still look “bad” if many smaller systems are in trouble.

For your own health, the best question is not “Is my state good or bad?” It is, “How safe is the water in my exact system or well?”

Common tap water contaminants and what they mean for your health

Now let’s look at the common contaminants people worry about and where they tend to show up.

Lead in drinking water – sources, risks, and where it’s worst

Lead is one of the most serious pollutants in drinking water. It usually does not come from the lake or river itself. Instead, it can enter water as it moves through old pipes, lead solder, and brass fixtures. It is especially common in homes built before 1986.

Health experts say there is no safe level of lead in drinking water, especially for children and pregnant people. Even low levels can harm brain development, lower IQ, and affect behavior.

High‑risk regions for elevated levels of lead include:

Older cities in the Northeast and Midwest, such as those that faced events like Flint
Parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois with large numbers of lead service lines
Some systems in Louisiana and other southern states with old pipe networks

Even in “good” states, any home can have lead if the service line or indoor plumbing is old. That is why many cities now offer lead pipe replacement programs.

PFAS, arsenic, and other long‑lasting chemical contaminants

PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) are often called “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly. These chemicals were used in non‑stick coatings, firefighting foam, and many industrial processes. PFAS are present in drinking water near military bases, airports, and factories in many states. Studies link PFAS to thyroid disease, some cancers, and immune system problems.

Arsenic is another major concern. It is a natural element that can be found in rocks and soil, and it can enter water when groundwater picks it up. Some arsenic drinking water contamination states include parts of Nevada, Arizona, California, Maine, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Wisconsin, as shown in USGS maps. In some wells, arsenic levels are well above both EPA legal limits and stricter health guidelines. Long‑term exposure increases the risk of skin, bladder, and lung cancer and can affect heart and nerve function.

Other key contaminants include:

Chromium‑6, a cancer‑linked form of chromium seen in some western states
Nitrate and nitrite, especially in farm regions with heavy agricultural runoff and fertilizer use
Manganese, which can cause taste, color, and health issues at high levels

Disinfection byproducts: TTHMs, HAA5, and chlorine taste

Most systems must disinfect water to kill germs. They often use chlorine, chloramine, or ozone. This step is vital; without it, many more people would get sick from bacteria and viruses.

But when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in the water, it can form disinfection byproducts, mainly trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAA5). Long‑term exposure to high levels may raise the risk of certain cancers and may affect liver or kidney function.

Many people complain about chlorine taste or smell. That does not always mean a health problem, but it can be a sign of higher chemical use. Simple water filters with activated carbon often remove chlorine taste and lower some disinfection byproducts.

How do I know if my tap water is safe to drink?

Here is a simple way to check:

Find your yearly Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water utility.
Look for any MCL violations or notes on lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrate, TTHMs, or HAA5.
If you have a private well, arrange water testing through a certified lab at least once a year.
If you see concerning levels or you are in a high‑risk group (pregnant, infant in the home, chronic illness), consider a water filtration system that is certified for your specific contaminants.

How to check your local tap water quality (state and city level)

Knowing the states with the best tap water is helpful, but your own home’s water is what you actually drink. So how can you check it?

Step‑by‑step: finding and reading your water quality report

Every public water system must give customers a yearly CCR. Here’s how to find and read it:

Go to your city or water utility website and look for a link called “Water Quality,” “Drinking Water,” or “Consumer Confidence Report.”
If you cannot find it, call the customer service number on your water bill and ask for the latest CCR.
Once you have it, find the table of contaminants. Look for columns labeled “MCL,” “MCLG,” “Detected Level,” and “Violation.”
Check key items: lead, copper, arsenic, nitrate, TTHMs, HAA5, PFAS (if listed), and any contaminants marked with bold or with health warnings.
See if any detected level is above the MCL (legal limit) or above stricter health guidelines listed in the report.
Read any notes or explanations for violations and see what fixes were made.

If any part of the report is confusing, many utilities have staff who can walk through it with you by phone.

Online tools: ZIP‑code lookups and interactive water maps

Several federal and state tools let you look up local water quality by ZIP code. For example, the EPA and some states provide interactive maps that show:

Which public water system serves your address
Known violations and contamination issues
Links to your system’s CCR

Independent groups also run tap water databases that compile federal and state data. These can be easier to read, but they may mix legal limits with stricter health guidelines, which can look scary. It helps to compare both the official CCR and any third‑party summaries so you understand the full picture.

At‑home testing options and when they make sense

At‑home water testing can be useful, especially if you have a private well or live in a very old house. You have three main options:

DIY test strips – Cheap and simple. They can give rough readings for pH, hardness, some metals, and sometimes nitrate, but they are not very exact.
Mail‑in lab kits – You collect water and send it to a certified lab. These tests can check for lead, arsenic, nitrate, some PFAS, and more. They cost more but give clearer results.
Local certified labs – You drop off a sample and get a report. This is often the best method if you need results for a mortgage, a health concern, or if you know your area has significant water quality issues.

Testing makes special sense if:

Your water has a sudden change in color, smell, or taste
You live near farms, factories, or old mines
You use well water for infant formula or if someone in the home is pregnant or has a weak immune system

Who tests US tap water and how often is it checked?

Public water systems are tested under schedules set by the EPA and state regulators. Some contaminants, like bacteria and chlorine levels, are checked daily or weekly. Others, like arsenic or TTHMs, may be tested quarterly or yearly, depending on system size and past results. States like New Hampshire also require extra PFAS testing.

If you have a private well, you are responsible for testing. Agencies like the CDC and state health departments recommend checking wells at least once a year for bacteria and nitrate, and more often if you live in a known arsenic or PFAS area.

Tap water vs bottled water – safety, taste, and environmental impact

Many people reach for bottled water because they think it must be safer. But is that true?

Is bottled water really safer than tap water?

In the US, tap water is regulated by the EPA, while bottled water is regulated as a food product by another federal agency. Public systems must share CCR reports, follow the Safe Drinking Water Act, and alert customers about many types of problems. Bottled water rules are different and do not always require the same level of public reporting.

In many cases, bottled water is just filtered municipal water from a city system that already meets EPA standards. There are times when bottled water makes sense, such as:

During a boil‑water notice or known contamination event
When traveling in areas where you cannot easily check local water quality
After a natural disaster when normal systems are down

But for daily use in most US cities, tap water is safe and often better tested than bottled water.

Taste tests and awards: why some tap water beats bottled

National water tasting contests often show tap water beating bottled water on taste. Cities like Emporia (Kansas), Independence (Missouri), and Duluth (Minnesota) have been top finishers in these events.

So, what city has the best tasting tap water? There is no single final answer, but cities that keep winning contests—often small and mid‑sized systems with clean source water and careful treatment—are strong candidates. These cities tend to draw from protected rivers or reservoirs and keep a balanced level of minerals, which affects “mouthfeel” and flavor.

Environmental and cost comparison: tap vs bottled water

From an environmental view, tap water has a big advantage. Bottled water requires:

Plastic bottles, which create waste even when recycled
Transport by truck, which burns fuel and adds emissions
Extra filtration and packaging, which use more energy

From a cost view, the gap is even larger. A gallon of tap water usually costs less than a cent. A gallon of bottled water can cost hundreds of times more. Even if you buy a good water filter or RO system at home, your yearly cost per gallon is still far below what you pay for bottled water.

Is it better to drink tap water or bottled water?

For most people in the US, the best choice is:

Use tap water as your main source
Check your CCR and, if needed, add a water filtration system that targets your contaminants
Keep some bottled water or stored tap water as backup for emergencies

This approach supports access to clean water, saves money, and reduces plastic waste.

How to improve your home’s drinking water – filters, habits, and upgrades

Even if your tap water quality meets legal standards, you may want extra protection or better taste.

Choosing the right water filter for your contaminants

Different water filters remove different contaminants, so you need to match technology to your main risks:

Activated carbon (pitchers or faucet filters) – Good for chlorine, some TTHMs, some PFAS, and many chemicals that affect taste and smell.
Reverse osmosis (RO system) – Uses a membrane to remove many dissolved contaminants, including arsenic, nitrate, many PFAS, and some metals. Often installed under the sink. This system can turn ordinary tap water into crisp, clean drinking water that tastes almost like bottled water. Many homeowners notice a visible improvement in clarity and odor within days of installation.
Water softeners – Exchange minerals to reduce hard water (calcium and magnesium). They do not remove most health contaminants but help with scale and soap use.
Whole‑house filters – Installed at the point where water enters the home. They can reduce sediment, chlorine, and some chemicals for all taps and showers.

Look for filters certified under NSF/ANSI standards for the specific contaminant you care about, such as lead, PFAS, or arsenic. That way you know the system was actually tested for that problem.

Simple daily habits to make tap water safer and better tasting

Small habits can also reduce risk and improve taste:

Use cold water for cooking and drinking, because hot water pulls more metals from pipes. Let the tap run for 30–60 seconds in the morning or after long breaks to flush out water that has sat in old pipes. Clean your faucet aerators now and then to remove trapped sediment. Replace built‑in refrigerator filters on schedule, otherwise they can become a source of bacteria. Store water in clean, covered containers and avoid leaving water in warm places where germs can grow.

When to consider bigger changes: pipe replacement and point‑of‑entry systems

For some homes, especially in older cities, a bigger fix is needed. If your house still has a lead service line (the pipe from the street to your home), you may qualify for local or federal programs that help pay for replacement. Removing that line can sharply cut levels of lead in your water in the home.

In areas with very high nitrate, PFAS, or arsenic, a whole‑house RO system or other advanced water filtration system may be the best way to protect everyone, including those who may swallow water in the shower. Work with a licensed plumber and check that any system you buy is properly sized and certified.

Do I need a water filter? A simple way to decide

Think of it like a decision tree:

If your CCR shows no major issues, your home was built after 1986, and you like the taste, you may not need a filter.
If your CCR lists concerns or your home is older, a tap filter or under‑sink RO for drinking and cooking may be smart.
If you use a private well in an area known for arsenic, nitrate, or PFAS, regularly testing and a strong filter is usually worth the investment.

Public perception vs data: what people say about the best tap water

There is often a gap between what data show and what people say online.

What Reddit and social media say about US tap water

On forums and social media, people often praise states like Minnesota, South Dakota, Vermont, and parts of Oregon for clean, fresh‑tasting water. Many posts mention how the tap water tastes better than bottled and does not need extra filters.

On the other hand, users often complain about water in large metro areas in New Jersey, California, Texas, and Arizona, mentioning strong chlorine taste, strange smells, or concerns over PFAS and San Diego water quality. Some of these complaints match real water quality issues; in other cases, the water is legally safe but less pleasant to drink.

YouTube and educational content trends on tap water safety

Educational videos in recent years focus a lot on PFAS, lead, and big events like Flint. Many channels highlight New Hampshire and Vermont as examples of states that test for PFAS widely and act faster than federal rules require.

This kind of content has helped many people learn about tap water quality, but it can also cause fear if viewers do not see the full context, such as how rare some risks are or what local systems are doing to fix problems.

Why trust in tap water matters for public health and the environment

When people lose trust in their local water, they often switch to bottled water or sugary drinks. That can add plastic waste, raise costs, and harm health.

Building trust requires:

Transparent communication from utilities about both good news and bad news
Clear, simple CCR reports that explain what the numbers mean
Visible fixes when problems are found, such as replacing lead lines or adding filtration

When people know their water is safe—or know exactly how to make it safe with a simple filter—they are more likely to drink water, stay hydrated, and cut down on plastic bottles.

Key takeaways and resources for safer drinking water

This section brings together the most important lessons from the 2025 best tap water data and gives you the authoritative resources you can rely on to understand, track, and improve the quality of the water you drink every day.

Main lessons from the 2025 best tap water rankings

The states with the best tap water in the US tend to share four traits: good protection of water sources, strict standards and enforcement, steady investment in treatment systems, and clear communication with the public. But even in these states, towns with old pipes or weak budgets can still have problems.

On the other hand, states with many violations often have a mix of aging infrastructure, limited funding, and heavy industrial or farm pollution. In some of these states, 97 million Americans have contaminants in drinking water that may not break the law but still raise health concerns.

So the smartest move is to check your own system, consider targeted water filters, and keep an eye on updates each year.

Can I drink tap water when I travel to other states?

Most of the time, yes. In the US, most tap water is safe to drink. But when you travel, it helps to:

Check the local city or utility website for a water quality page. Ask locals if the water tastes normal or if there are frequent boil‑water notices. If you are in a state known for PFAS or arsenic, or if the water tastes very strong, use a portable filter bottle or short‑term bottled water, especially for infants, pregnant people, or anyone with a weak immune system.

Authoritative resources to bookmark and cite

If you want to go deeper into the water in the US, these sites are good starting points:

EPA Safe Drinking Water Act and SDWIS database
EPA PFAS and emerging contaminants pages
CDC drinking water safety and private wells information
USGS national maps on arsenic and other groundwater contaminants
Your state health or environmental department’s drinking water pages

These sources give current, detailed, and reliable information beyond what any single article can cover.

Final checklist: steps to ensure safer tap water at home

To put this all together:

Review your latest CCR and note any contaminants that show up.
Decide if you need extra water testing, especially if you have a private well or old plumbing.
If needed, choose a water filter that is certified for your main contaminants (lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrate, etc.).
Build simple habits like flushing taps, using cold water for cooking, and cleaning aerators.
Recheck your water each year, as new rules, new data, and new filtration options arrive.

FAQs

1. What city has the cleanest tap water in the US?

There isn’t an official national champion for “cleanest tap water,” but several cities consistently show up in rankings because they combine protected water sources with extremely low violation records. Cities in states like South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri often stand out. For example, Emporia (Kansas) and Independence (Missouri) are frequently mentioned because they draw water from well-managed surface sources and invest heavily in treatment upgrades. What makes these cities stand out isn’t just the quality of the raw water—it’s their commitment to maintaining strict testing schedules, modernizing equipment, and avoiding the kinds of infrastructure problems that lead to contamination in other places. So while there’s no single winner, cities with strong source protection, good funding, and consistent compliance tend to rise to the top year after year.

2. What city has the best tasting tap water?

Taste is subjective, but certain cities keep winning regional and national taste competitions. Small to mid-sized cities like Emporia (Kansas), Independence (Missouri), and Duluth (Minnesota) frequently get top marks for having naturally pleasant-tasting water. What people usually like about their water is a clean flavor with a mild, balanced mineral profile—not too hard, not too soft. These places often rely on protected reservoirs or well-managed surface water, which reduces the chances of strong odors, chlorine taste, or earthy notes that show up in other systems. Their treatment plants also fine-tune processes like filtration, aeration, and disinfection so the water tastes fresh without feeling over-processed. So while taste awards can vary from year to year, cities that control source quality and maintain a stable mineral balance often win the most praise.

3. Who has the worst water quality in the US?

When it comes to water quality problems, there isn’t one single “worst state,” but several regions struggle with repeated violations and long-term infrastructure issues. Systems in parts of New York, Louisiana, Maryland, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and some areas of Oregon and Massachusetts often appear in national reports because residents face high levels of contaminants like lead, PFAS, arsenic, and disinfection byproducts. In many cases, the cause is a combination of aging pipes, limited budgets, industrial pollution, or heavy agricultural runoff. Some communities have difficulty upgrading outdated systems, which means problems can persist even if the state overall performs well. It’s also important to remember that violations don’t always mean immediate danger—but they do signal that treatment systems or source water protection need improvement. These areas highlight how uneven water quality can be between states and even between neighboring towns.

4. What is the water contamination in Williams Bay WI?

Williams Bay, like many small Wisconsin communities surrounded by farmland, deals mainly with groundwater-related issues—especially nitrate and occasionally arsenic. Williams Bay water contamination often come from natural geology or agricultural activity, so they’re more common in private wells than in large municipal systems. The village’s public water supply is required to meet state and EPA standards and undergoes routine testing to ensure safety. However, private well owners face more variability because well depth, age, and local soil conditions all affect contamination risk. That’s why Wisconsin health officials strongly recommend regular water testing, especially for households with infants or pregnant individuals, since nitrate can pose higher risks for these groups. Overall, the public system is generally safe, but well owners in the surrounding area should stay vigilant and test their water at least once a year.

5. What states have the most arsenic in their water?

According to national groundwater maps from the USGS, naturally occurring arsenic is more common in certain regions, especially parts of Nevada, Arizona, California, Maine, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Wisconsin. This doesn’t mean every town in these states has high arsenic—it varies a lot based on local geology, well depth, and water source. Larger city utilities usually test and treat water to keep arsenic below federal limits, but private wells can be more unpredictable and often have higher levels. In rural areas or places with older wells, arsenic may reach levels that require filtration, typically through reverse osmosis or specialized media filters. Because arsenic has no taste or smell, regular testing is the only way to know for sure. These states aren’t “unsafe,” but well owners and small systems in high-risk geological zones need to stay especially proactive.

6. Is the tap water in San Diego safe to drink?

Yes—San Diego’s tap water meets all EPA standards for regulated contaminants, which means it’s considered safe for everyday use. The city publishes detailed water quality reports showing compliance with federal rules for lead, nitrate, and microbiological contaminants. However, many residents notice that the water tastes a bit strong or chalky because the region relies heavily on imported water that naturally has higher mineral content. This also makes the water fairly “hard,” which can leave spots on dishes and build-up on fixtures. San Diego’s water may also contain low levels of TTHMs, HAA5, and trace PFAS—still within legal limits, but enough that some people prefer using a carbon filter or RO system for better taste and extra peace of mind. So while the water is technically safe, many households choose filtering to improve daily drinking experience.

References

https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water