Tap water in United States

Generally safe to drink

The WHO and UNICEF put safely managed drinking water within reach of 99% of people in United States. National figures describe a country, not the tap in front of you.

What the sources say

WHO / UNICEF JMP

99% of the population has safely managed drinking water, meaning it is free from contamination at the point of use.

US CDC Travelers' Health

Advises travellers that tap water is generally safe to drink in United States.

Numbeo

72.64/100 on the water drinkability and accessibility index, which Numbeo reads as “High”. This one is crowdsourced from residents rather than measured.

Lonely Planet

Tap water is drinkable virtually everywhere in the USA.

Safe nationally still means ask locally. Older buildings can carry lead or copper pipework, and a single street can differ from the network feeding it. If you are staying somewhere old, ask your host.

What bottled water costs you here

Drinking tap water instead of bottled would save one adult about 1365$ a year in United States, and keep several hundred plastic bottles out of circulation.

Work out your own saving

Places in United States

Water quality is local. These places have their own readings.

Elsewhere in North America