Rating of Drinking Water Safety Worldwide

The Rating of Drinking Water Safety Worldwide, prepared by Safe Water for International Travelers, is a classification of drinking water safety that gives a broad indication of the health risks related with drinking water, to which international travelers may be exposed in every country of the world. The rating is based on significant indicators produced by World Health Organization, Unicef , World Bank and UN Development Program. There are defined five classes of drinking water safety:

5 Drops Countries
All cities have safe water supplies, which are monitored and regularly tested by an independent and qualified board, and drinking water quality is the standard in developed countries. Waterborne diseases are almost inexistent. Only about 20% of the world countries have this top classification.

4 Drops Countries
Main cities have generally safe water supplies, which are monitored and regularly tested by an independent board, but level of service of rural and small towns systems could be substandard. Prevalence of waterborne diseases is low.

3 Drops Countries
The level of service quality varies considerably between urban and rural residence, and between regions. Some systems comply with World Health Organization Guidelines, but many of them have intermittent service and lack of disinfection. Monitoring and testing is not fully reliable. Some waterborne diseases are endemic.

2 Drops Countries
Some water supplies comply with WHO Guidelines, but most of them not. There is not permanent monitoring and testing. Usually water quality is not good. Prevalence of waterborne diseases is high.

1 Drop Countries
Is almost impossible to find drinking water that complies with WHO Guidelines. There is not monitoring and testing. Waterborne diseases are the main cause of infant mortality. Usually is dangerous for foreign visitors to drink tap water.

Resources:
See SafeWater Online for a complete list of countries