Despite the US having one of the safest water supplies in the world, water quality varies by state. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 regulates public drinking water, and the EPA sets limits on contaminants. However, health-related violations still occur. Here's a breakdown of the states with the best drinking water, based on data from the EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online (2019-2023):
Top 5 States with the Best Drinking Water:
Hawaii: With only 1.43 violations per 100,000 people, Hawaii has the best drinking water in the US.
New Jersey: New Jersey has a low rate of 1.53 violations per 100,000 people.
Massachusetts: With 1.63 violations per 100,000 people, Massachusetts ranks third.
New York: New York has a rate of 1.73 violations per 100,000 people.
Vermont: Vermont rounds out the top 5 with 1.83 violations per 100,000 people.
Important Notes:
The total number of health-related violations doesn't necessarily equate to water quality.
States with smaller populations may have more violations per person due to fewer people.
Texas has the highest total number of health-based drinking water violations, but also has the second-highest population.
Remember, even with violations, the US has some of the safest drinking water in the world.