Where can Americans drink tap water?
Asked by: Orrin Dickens III | Last update: February 9, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (39 votes)
Americans can generally drink tap water safely in most homes, apartments, and businesses across the U.S., as it's regulated by the EPA, but quality varies by location; states like New York, Kentucky, Washington, and Hawaii often rank high, while some areas with older pipes or specific contaminants might need filters, so using a filter offers extra confidence.
Where in the U.S. is tap water drinkable?
In general, tap water in the US is considered safe to drink.
Can Americans drink water in other countries?
Tap water: Do not drink the tap water in countries where the tap water might be contaminated. Avoid swallowing water when showering. Brush your teeth with bottled or disinfected water. Tap water can be disinfected by boiling, filtering, or chemically treating it.
Is NZ tap water safe to drink?
Yes. Except in exceptional circumstances, NZ tapwater is universally safe to drink. Standards exist to ensure that major contaminating organisms such as Protozoa and Cryptosporidium are removed or reduced to safe levels.
Can Americans drink tap water in Australia?
Yes – Australian tap water is safe to drink in most places. It's regulated under the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and managed by local health departments and water utilities. Tap water is regularly tested for bacteria, heavy metals, and other known risks – and must meet strict national standards.
Is it OK to drink tap water?
Which country has the cleanest tap water?
Countries like Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Finland, and New Zealand consistently rank highest for clean tap water due to pristine natural sources (glaciers, springs) and strict regulations, with some studies even pointing to Seychelles for its high coverage of safe water, though Switzerland is often cited for the best overall purity and treatment. Other top contenders include Germany, Canada, and Singapore, all with excellent water quality standards.
Can Americans drink the water in Portugal?
The overall answer to can you drink tap water in Portugal is yes. In most regions, including urban areas like Lisbon and Porto, tap water is considered safe to drink. Portugal water quality is closely monitored and regulated to comply with European Union (EU) standards, which are some of the strictest in the world.
Can Americans drink NZ water?
Whilst some surveys would argue the quality of the water varies, especially in rural areas, it is still widely regarded as safe. Australia and New Zealand can too be relied on for safe drinking water.
Is 80% of New Zealand empty?
Yes, approximately 80% (around 78-80%) of New Zealand's land area is largely uninhabited, not because it's empty in a desert sense, but because it consists of rugged mountains, vast national parks, harsh terrain, and ecological habitats, concentrating people along the coasts and flatter, more fertile areas like the North Island's plains. This leaves much of the interior wild, protected, and suitable for nature, not large settlements.
Does New Zealand have some of the cleanest water in the world?
It's called Blue Spring - one of the clearest water sources in the world (visibility: up to 63 meters) and it supplies 60% of New Zealand's bottled water.
What is the #1 healthiest water to drink in the world?
The #1 healthiest water is clean, mineral-rich spring water that's naturally filtered and contains essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, often found in nature or bottled at the source, but filtered tap water is excellent for daily hydration, while purified water is best for removing contaminants when source quality is uncertain. There's no single "best," but natural spring water is highly rated for its mineral content, though filtered tap water is convenient and safe, and alkaline water's benefits are still debated.
What kills parasites in water?
Boiling is also very effective against waterborne pathogens. It kills disease-causing organisms in water, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, as most microorganisms cannot survive in high temperatures.
Can Americans drink UK tap water?
UK tap water
British tap water is said to be one of the best water supplies in the world, with a quality rating of 99.96% according to Discover Water. This quality is regularly monitored by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) to ensure our water is both clean and safe to drink.
Who has the cleanest tap water in the USA?
There's no single "cleanest" spot, but Hawaii, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Alabama, and Washington consistently rank high for tap water quality, often due to great source protection, strict standards, or customer satisfaction, with cities like Des Moines (IA), Portland (OR), and New York City also praised for their pure, great-tasting water. The "best" varies by report, but states with strong source protection (aquifers in Hawaii) and proactive contaminant control (like Washington's PFAS program) fare well.
Why do Americans drink bottled water?
A fifth of U.S. adults that buy bottled water say they cannot drink tap water at home because it's not suitable for consumption, whether that's for reasons such as it being contaminated or chlorinated, according to Statista survey data.
What is the cleanest state in the US?
Hawaii, Vermont, and Washington consistently rank among the cleanest U.S. states due to excellent air quality, clean water, strong environmental regulations, and low pollution, with Hawaii leading for air/water quality and Vermont often topping lists for overall environmental quality and low toxins. Other top contenders include Maine, Alaska, and Oregon, benefiting from natural features like forests, ocean breezes, and lower population densities, while Wyoming ranks high in home cleanliness surveys.
Is $70,000 a good salary in New Zealand?
NZD $70k is around the national average salary in New Zealand, making it a decent, but not high, income that allows for a modest lifestyle, especially if you're single and living outside of expensive areas like Auckland; however, it can feel tight in major cities due to high rent and living costs, requiring careful budgeting for a comfortable life with luxuries like holidays or significant savings.
What is the 92 day rule in New Zealand?
The 92-day rule in NZ exempts non-resident employees or contractors from NZ income tax if they are in the country for 92 days or less in a tax year, are paid by an overseas entity, perform services for that entity, and are taxed in their home country, often under a Double Tax Agreement (DTA). This allows short-term workers to avoid NZ tax, but longer stays (over 92 or 183 days) or failing home country tax obligations can trigger NZ tax liability, requiring an Inland Revenue (IRD) exemption certificate or Withholding Tax obligations for the payer.
What is a white new zealander called?
A white New Zealander is often called a Pākehā, a Māori term meaning a light-skinned, non-Polynesian New Zealander, especially of European descent, though some prefer "New Zealander," "Kiwi," or "European New Zealander" as a self-identifier, depending on context and personal preference, notes Quora and Wikipedia.
Is bottled water better than tap water in NZ?
Tap water and bottled water can both be safe. But when it comes to long-term health, filtered tap water has the edge. Tap water in New Zealand is treated and regulated to high national standards. It's disinfected and tested regularly.
What country has the safest tap water in the world?
There's no single "safest" tap water, but countries like Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Finland, and New Zealand consistently rank highest due to pristine natural sources, strict regulations, and advanced purification, with Switzerland often cited as #1 for its Alpine purity and advanced systems. Other nations praised include Canada, Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands, while cities like NYC (Catskills source) and Reykjavik are famous for quality.
Where is the cleanest water in NZ?
Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake is a small lake in Nelson Lakes National Park, in the northern reaches of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Sacred to local Māori, it has the clearest natural fresh water in the world.
What are the don'ts of Portugal?
When visiting Portugal, don't assume bread, butter, or olives are free at restaurants; don't speak Spanish thinking it's similar; avoid loud behavior, unnecessary horn honking, and wearing swimwear in cities or churches; and remember to dress modestly in religious sites, pack comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones, and respect local customs by not rushing or being overly demonstrative in public.
Should tourists drink tap water?
Know Where Your Drinking Water Comes From
Contaminated water can look clean but still have harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Factory-sealed bottled water is the safest option for most travelers.
Can you brush your teeth with tap water in Portugal?
Tap water is fine to brush your teeth.