The 10 States With the Best Tap Water (2026)
The ten best water states for tap water quality, ranked from published July 2026 data — with full state-by-state breakdowns.
The score is population-weighted from city-level EPA violation data — 100 means no contaminants above EPA limits or health guidelines. The violations column counts health-based violations per community water system in 2024. Here are the ten states at the top of the table — the best water in the country as of July 2026 — with every figure linking to that state's full breakdown.
| # | State | Quality score /100 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 99.9/100 |
| 2 | North Carolina | 99.7/100 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 99.5/100 |
| 4 | Louisiana | 98.9/100 |
| 5 | Alaska | 97.7/100 |
| 6 | South Dakota | 96.5/100 |
| 7 | New Mexico | 95.9/100 |
| 8 | Indiana | 95.2/100 |
| 9 | Oregon | 90.5/100 |
| 10 | Vermont | 88.2/100 |
#1: Hawaii
Hawaii has some of the best tap water in the country — a quality score of 99.9/100 ranks #1 of 51, and its water systems reported zero health-based violations per system in 2024.
#2: North Carolina
North Carolina has some of the best tap water in the country — a quality score of 99.7/100 ranks #2 of 51, and its water systems averaged 1.9 health-based violations each in 2024 — better than the U.S. average of 2.5.
#3: New Hampshire
New Hampshire has some of the best tap water in the country — a quality score of 99.5/100 ranks #3 of 51, and its water systems averaged 1.5 health-based violations each in 2024 — better than the U.S. average of 2.5.
See the full table
All 51 states are ranked on the tap water quality index page, and every state links to a detailed local breakdown. Scores describe states — your utility's Consumer Confidence Report has your exact numbers.
Averages describe states, not your faucet. A certified home water test screens for lead, nitrates, bacteria and dozens of other contaminants — the same categories EPA regulates.
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