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The 50 US cities with the best tap water quality — A–F safety grades based on EPA lead, PFAS, and arsenic data, compliance records, and infrastructure quality. Every city listed scores 80 or higher, indicating excellent tap water safety.
Quick answer: As of 2026, the US cities with the best tap water quality are Payson, AZ, Anaheim, CA, Romeoville, IL, Cumberland, MD and Pine Bluff, AR — each scoring 97/100 or higher with Grade A water, minimal contaminants, and clean EPA compliance records. See the full top-50 ranking below.
Top-ranked city in each US state — ranked by score from 2026 EPA data
| State | Best City | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Payson | 98/100 | A+ |
| California | Anaheim | 98/100 | A+ |
| Illinois | Romeoville | 98/100 | A+ |
| Maryland | Cumberland | 98/100 | A+ |
| Arkansas | Pine Bluff | 97/100 | A+ |
| Connecticut | West Haven | 97/100 | A+ |
| Indiana | Greenwood | 97/100 | A+ |
| Kansas | Salina | 97/100 | A+ |
| Kentucky | Radcliff | 97/100 | A+ |
| Texas | El Paso | 97/100 | A+ |
| Alabama | Prichard | 96/100 | A+ |
| Colorado | Longmont | 96/100 | A+ |
| Florida | Dunedin | 96/100 | A+ |
| Georgia | Alpharetta | 96/100 | A+ |
| Iowa | Council Bluffs | 96/100 | A+ |
| Louisiana | Hammond | 96/100 | A+ |
| Massachusetts | Everett | 96/100 | A+ |
Click any city to see detailed water quality report including contaminants, violations, and filter recommendations.
| Rank | City | State | Score | Grade | Population Served |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Payson | Arizona | 98/100 | A+ | 15,929 |
| #2 | Anaheim | California | 98/100 | A+ | 346,824 |
| #3 | Romeoville | Illinois | 98/100 | A+ | 39,983 |
| #4 | Cumberland | Maryland | 98/100 | A+ | 19,495 |
| #5 | Pine Bluff | Arkansas | 97/100 | A+ | 41,253 |
| #6 | Palm Desert | California | 97/100 | A+ | 51,988 |
| #7 | San Clemente | California | 97/100 | A+ | 65,040 |
| #8 | West Haven | Connecticut | 97/100 | A+ | 54,666 |
| #9 | Naperville | Illinois | 97/100 | A+ | 149,013 |
| #10 | Greenwood | Indiana | 97/100 | A+ | 63,830 |
| #11 | Salina | Kansas | 97/100 | A+ | 46,994 |
| #12 | Radcliff | Kentucky | 97/100 | A+ | 24,046 |
| #13 | El Paso | Texas | 97/100 | A+ | 1,821 |
| #14 | Prichard | Alabama | 96/100 | A+ | 19,322 |
| #15 | Hanford | California | 96/100 | A+ | 57,232 |
| #16 | Inglewood | California | 96/100 | A+ | 109,398 |
| #17 | Lodi | California | 96/100 | A+ | 67,539 |
| #18 | Monterey Park | California | 96/100 | A+ | 60,105 |
| #19 | San Diego | California | 96/100 | A+ | 1,386,932 |
| #20 | Santa Barbara | California | 96/100 | A+ | 88,665 |
| #21 | Simi Valley | California | 96/100 | A+ | 126,181 |
| #22 | Longmont | Colorado | 96/100 | A+ | 98,885 |
| #23 | Dunedin | Florida | 96/100 | A+ | 36,068 |
| #24 | Lakeland | Florida | 96/100 | A+ | 112,641 |
| #25 | Miami Beach | Florida | 96/100 | A+ | 92,307 |
| #26 | Alpharetta | Georgia | 96/100 | A+ | 65,818 |
| #27 | Statesboro | Georgia | 96/100 | A+ | 33,438 |
| #28 | Council Bluffs | Iowa | 96/100 | A+ | 62,799 |
| #29 | Mason City | Iowa | 96/100 | A+ | 27,338 |
| #30 | West Des Moines | Iowa | 96/100 | A+ | 68,723 |
| #31 | Peoria | Illinois | 96/100 | A+ | 113,150 |
| #32 | Franklin | Indiana | 96/100 | A+ | 26,211 |
| #33 | Ashland | Kentucky | 96/100 | A+ | 21,625 |
| #34 | Hammond | Louisiana | 96/100 | A+ | 21,359 |
| #35 | Everett | Massachusetts | 96/100 | A+ | 49,075 |
| #36 | Framingham | Massachusetts | 96/100 | A+ | 72,362 |
| #37 | Lowell | Massachusetts | 96/100 | A+ | 115,554 |
| #38 | Taunton | Massachusetts | 96/100 | A+ | 59,408 |
| #39 | Weymouth Town | Massachusetts | 96/100 | A+ | 57,213 |
| #40 | Enterprise | Alabama | 95/100 | A+ | 28,711 |
| #41 | Montgomery | Alabama | 95/100 | A+ | 200,603 |
| #42 | Paragould | Arkansas | 95/100 | A+ | 29,908 |
| #43 | West Memphis | Arkansas | 95/100 | A+ | 24,656 |
| #44 | Bullhead City | Arizona | 95/100 | A+ | 41,348 |
| #45 | Chandler | Arizona | 95/100 | A+ | 275,987 |
| #46 | San Luis | Arizona | 95/100 | A+ | 35,257 |
| #47 | Show Low | Arizona | 95/100 | A+ | 11,229 |
| #48 | Laguna Hills | California | 95/100 | A+ | 31,573 |
| #49 | Yorba Linda | California | 95/100 | A+ | 68,103 |
| #50 | Steamboat Springs | Colorado | 95/100 | A+ | 13,932 |
Cities with the best water quality share several common characteristics:
All detected contaminants are well below EPA maximum limits. Most have no concerning levels of lead, arsenic, or disinfection byproducts.
These cities have few or no EPA violations, demonstrating consistent adherence to Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Investment in treatment facilities, distribution systems, and regular maintenance ensures water stays clean from source to tap.
Quality source water from protected aquifers, reservoirs, or rivers with minimal agricultural or industrial contamination upstream.
Even in cities with excellent water quality, many residents choose to use water filters for:
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View Recommended Water FiltersBased on the latest EPA SDWIS data, Payson, Arizona currently has the best tap water quality in our rankings, scoring 98/100. The full top five are Payson, AZ, Anaheim, CA, Romeoville, IL, Cumberland, MD and Pine Bluff, AR — each earns a Grade A score for low contaminant levels, strong EPA compliance, and clean source water. Rankings update as new testing data is released, so check the table below for the current list.
Cities with the best water quality share these characteristics: 1) Protected source water (clean aquifers or reservoirs), 2) Modern treatment facilities with advanced filtration, 3) Well-maintained distribution systems without lead pipes, 4) Excellent EPA compliance with no violations, 5) Low levels of all tested contaminants well below EPA limits.
Even in cities with excellent water quality, some residents choose filters for: 1) Removing chlorine taste and odor, 2) Protection from lead that may come from home plumbing (not the city supply), 3) Extra safety for vulnerable populations (pregnant women, infants), 4) Peace of mind. However, a filter is less essential in top-rated cities.
States with many cities in our top 50 list typically have protected water sources, strong environmental regulations, and investment in water infrastructure. Rankings vary, but states like Oregon, Washington, Vermont, and Massachusetts often have multiple cities with excellent water quality.
Most US tap water from public water systems meets EPA safety standards and is safe to drink. However, quality varies significantly by location. Cities in our top 50 have water that exceeds EPA requirements with minimal contamination. Cities with lower scores may have elevated contaminant levels where filtration is recommended.