8: United States
The United States ranks #8 for the cleanest drinking water, with wide but uneven access across states and regions. In most urban areas, residents receive highly treated and regularly tested tap water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces strict standards for drinking water safety nationwide. Additionally, many utilities test for over 90 contaminants on a regular basis. According to the CDC and WHO, over 97% of Americans have access to safely managed drinking water. However, rural communities and some low-income areas still face challenges with outdated pipes or contamination risks.
Even so, many cities like Portland, Minneapolis, and New York deliver high-quality water from protected natural sources. On the Yale Environmental Performance Index, the U.S. scores well but falls behind due to regional inconsistencies. Bottled water remains popular, yet tap water in most places is safe and reliable. While the infrastructure varies, the country continues to invest in improving long-term water safety.