People across the globe observe March 22 as World Water Day – designated by the United Nations to raise awareness of the two billion people living without access to safe water. The theme this year is “Groundwater: making the invisible visible”. Show
Groundwater is the water found below the Earth’s surface and is the largest source of fresh water on earth. Safe and readily available water is important for public health. Polluted water is linked to the transmission of many diseases including cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diarrhoeal diseases resulted in the deaths of some 1.5 million people in 2019, making this the eighth-highest cause of death globally, particularly among lower-income groups.  Higher death rates in low-income countriesGlobally, at least two billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with faeces. In 2019, the share of annual deaths attributed to unsafe water across the world ranged from a high of 10.1 percent in Chad – about 100 in 1,000 – to about 0.3 percent on average in the Americas to less than 0.02 percent across most of Europe, according to the Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network. In low-income countries, unsafe water sources account for the deaths of six out of every 100 people. Which countries have the safest drinking water?In 2020, about three-quarters (74 percent) of the world’s population had access to clean drinking water. One in four people does not have access to a safely managed water source. In the least-developed countries, 22 percent of healthcare facilities have no water service, 21 percent have no sanitation service, and 22 percent have no waste management service. Most are in sub-Saharan Africa. Ten countries – eight in Africa and two in Asia – have less than a 20 percent share of the population with access to safely managed drinking water. The lowest in share percentages are Chad (5.6 percent), the Central African Republic (6.2 percent), Sierra Leone (10.6 percent), Rwanda (12.1 percent) and Ethiopia (12.6 percent). The countries with 100 percent access to safe drinking water include Greece, Iceland, Kuwait, Lichtenstein, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino and Singapore. How to protect yourself from waterborne diseasesSome main precautions that can be taken to protect yourself and your family from waterborne diseases are recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including: Many cities feature beautiful buildings, clean paved streets, and a welcoming atmosphere. However, one important aspect that we often neglect to analyze on our travels is the city’s water quality. After all, it’s crucial to our health to ingest water free from harmful chemicals or pathogens! RELATED: The 8 Best Water Heaters of 2019 Although it’s generally a good idea not to drink from the tap of an unfamiliar city, there are some places in the world where the water is sparkling clean and safe to drink. Keep reading for a list of cities featuring water of the best quality! If the city you’re visiting isn’t one of these, make sure you do thorough research before drinking anything that isn’t bottled! 10/10 Copenhagen (Denmark)
Copenhagen is a beautiful city in Denmark known for being home to the famous Tivoli Gardens as well as gorgeous canals and harbor. However, another amazing aspect of the city lies in their drinking water. In fact, the drinking water is so clean and good tasting that the city doesn’t add any amount of chlorine or other purifying chemicals! RELATED: Wales: 10 Reasons Why It Should Be On Your Bucket List The secret behind the water lies in strict daily quality controls to ensure perfectly safe H2O. Furthermore, Copenhagen is strictly against plastic waste and has put up a plethora of free public water fountains all over the city. If you visit the gorgeous capital of Denmark, be sure to toss the plastic bottles and opt for fresh, free water instead! 9/10 Reykjavik (Iceland)
Reykjavik is a historical gold mine, featuring countless museums and natural sites focused around their Viking history. In addition to preserving ancient culture, the officials of Reykjavik also maintain very stringent quality control of their water in order to guarantee its residents' safety and health. RELATED: 10 Most Romantic Places To Go For Your Honeymoon On A Budget Additionally, 95 percent of the water comes from springs in the ground anyway, so there aren't any chances of pollution compared to river water. Tests have concluded that Icelandic water, in general, does not contain harmful amounts of chlorine, calcium, or nitrate. Even so, tap water is very well monitored to eliminate any possible chances of contamination. Bottoms up! 8/10 Nuuk (Greenland)
In addition to featuring a gorgeous seaside landscape of colorful houses and amazing nature, Nuuk also provides clean, safe water for their residents. Although there are programs to provide clean water sourced from icebergs, the majority of the supply is collected from lakes and rivers with regular monitoring and controls. RELATED: 10 Of The Most Unbelievable & Amazing Coral Reefs The government of Greenland is overall very involved in not only quality control, but regular inspection of the control plants to ensure that there’s no foul play. The result is a ready supply of fresh, clean water for both residents and visitors to enjoy! Although bars and alcohol, in general, are rare in Nuuk, you can bet that you’ll have access to a vast supply of safe, thirst-quenching water! 7/10 Helsinki (Finland)
Known for clean air and beautiful, untouched nature, Helsinki is already an (albeit cold) paradise. However, they’ve also managed to provide extremely high-quality tap water to all of their residents. Collected from Lake Päijänne, the harvesting of the water is described as both ecological and cost-efficient, saving the city from mountains of plastic waste. RELATED: 10 Of The World’s Best Burgers And Where To Find Them The Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority takes the subject of water very seriously and maintains daily monitoring of the water quality. Not only does the tap water meet the strict standards for chemical and microbiological limits, but it also appeals to the senses as some of the freshest water in the world. 6/10 Munich (Germany)
Aside from the infamous beer during Oktoberfest, Munich is also known for maintaining surprisingly clean tap water. In fact, according to the German Consumer Organization, the tap water found in Munich is actually much healthier than bottled water! It contains more minerals and, of course, is way more environmentally friendly. RELATED: 10 Weird Reasons People Refuse to Fly Citizens are encouraged to fill their bottles from the tap instead of creating plastic waste, and you can rest assured in the water’s safety and quality. In fact, one known source for Munich’s water is from the Alps, where the mountain springs are known to be fresh and clear. Even so, the water goes through vigorous filtration processes to guarantee the removal of any harmful pathogens while keeping the minerals. 5/10 Oslo (Norway)
Norway is already home to one of the popular higher-end water brands, Voss. However, Oslo (and other cities) also feature impressively clean tap water, as well. Due to the country’s focus on hydropower, tap water in the capital city of Oslo has been known to be always safe to drink. RELATED: 10 Weirdest Items You Can Find In A Vending Machine Around The World In fact, one report ranked Oslo’s water cleanliness to be 94 out of 100, which is astonishingly high on the scale. The reason behind the safe and clean water in Oslo (and Norway) is that the government plays a huge role in constantly monitoring and maintaining water quality. If you’re in Oslo, make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to fill up instead of purchasing plastic bottles! 4/10 Bern (Switzerland)
Aside from creating amazing inventions such as the Swiss Army Knife and Velcro, Switzerland is also home to cities such as Bern, which has some of the best water in the world. About 40 percent of the water comes from natural springs, such as ones found in the Alps. RELATED: 10 Small Towns In Europe That Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List These mountainous springs are self-purifying, seeping through layers of rock similar to groundwater. Even so, cities such as Bern practices further treatment of both spring water and groundwater. Several reservoirs can be found around the city that further purifies spring water as well as transfer it to all household pipes in a quick, cheap, and ecologically effective manner. 3/10 Stockholm (Sweden)
Although the lakes in Sweden had been the victim of acidification, the country has made advancements since then to purify the water. The water supply in the city of Stockholm is the result of all the hard work, receiving a certification of quality by the ISO in 2017, stating that the water is of high and consistent quality. RELATED: 10 Of David Attenborough’s Favorite Travel Spots The secret lies in purifying the lake water through several stages, incorporating both mechanical and chemical methods to remove any pollutants and improve the overall taste of the water. Don’t be concerned if it’s slightly salty though, it could mean that the water is rich with minerals. 2/10 Toronto (Canada)
Toronto is a beautiful city in Ontario, Canada, home to the infamous CN Tower and plenty of other attractions. In addition to maintaining a beautiful city, the officials also keep a tight grip on the quality of the tap water. In fact, tests are run on drinking water once every 6 hours to guarantee safety and taste! RELATED: 10 Intriguing Questions We All Have About Canada Even without the constant inspections, the water collected from Lake Ontario must pass through a rigorous test of mechanical and chemical filters in order to be admitted to the supply. The result is totally safe tap water that tastes clean and remains abundant. Since the water is thoroughly tested for chemical debris and bacteria, you can rest assured about drinking Toronto’s water. 1/10 Des Moines (USA)
Ranked by Forbes as the top clean water city of the United States, this Iowa city surpasses the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards by far, with extremely low levels of bacteria, lead, haloacetic acid, and turbidity in comparison to its competitors. The secret is simply a rigid, tightly run filtration system from the second the water is harvested from Raccoon River and Des Moines River. In fact, automatic nitrate detectors are installed within the rivers to allow constant monitoring of mineral levels. The website is updated every few days so that everyday citizens can be in the know for various chemical readings! Where is the purest water in the world?While there are a few places that boast extremely clean water, such as Canada, Iceland, Antarctica, or even Upstate New York, the team of scientists determined that the cleanest water in the world was in the Patagonia region of Chile, Puerto Williams.
Which country has the cleanest drink water?Switzerland – No treatment needed
In fact, the quality of drinking water in Switzerland is the same as the quality of mineral water. The water is so clean that half of water coming from the tap in Switzerland hasn't been treated in any way, and therefore, does not have any chemical aftertaste [1].
What country has the cleanest water 2022?It is important to remember that countries are very big places, so there might be safe drinking water in one area of the country but not in another. Even though plenty of countries have drinking water that is entirely safe, Switzerland is widely considered to have the safest drinking water on earth.
Which drinking water is the cleanest?What Is The Healthiest Water To Drink? When sourced and stored safely, spring water is typically the healthiest option. When spring water is tested, and minimally processed, it offers the rich mineral profile that our bodies desperately crave.
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Where is the cleanest drinking water in the world?
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