Thirty countries have been ranked among the world’s leaders for clean and safe drinking water, according to global assessments that measure how effectively governments protect public health through water quality standards and treatment systems.

The rankings are based on data from the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which evaluates drinking water safety on a scale of 0 to 100. A higher score reflects stronger regulation, cleaner source water, and more effective treatment and monitoring.

Several countries achieved perfect or near-perfect scores, underscoring long-term investments in water infrastructure and enforcement. Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Italy, Ireland, Greece and the United States all recorded an EPI score of 100, placing them at the top globally.

Also Read: Safest countries to visit in 2026 ranked by peace and stability

Other high-ranking countries include Norway, Luxembourg, Iceland, Austria, Singapore and Sweden, where a mix of abundant natural water sources and advanced purification technologies ensures consistently safe tap water.

European nations dominate the upper tier of the rankings, largely due to strict enforcement of the EU Drinking Water Directive, which sets limits on chemical pollutants, bacteria and heavy metals. Countries such as France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark maintain high scores through regular testing and modern treatment facilities.

Outside Europe, Singapore and Israel stand out for their reliance on advanced desalination and filtration technologies, while Australia and South Korea rank highly due to strong national standards and monitoring systems. Smaller states such as Malta and Slovenia also feature prominently, supported by regulated treatment infrastructure and clean source water.

The data, cited by World Population Review, highlights how policy enforcement, investment and resource management play a central role in ensuring access to safe drinking water.