Best and Worst Tap Water in the Country – Where Does Massachusetts Rank?

I've lived in a few different areas of the country, though Massachusetts has always been "home," and one thing I've learned is: tap water tastes all sorts of ways! I've had it taste like eggs. I've had it taste like I had a mouthful of sod. I've had it taste like chemicals. And the crazy thing is, most times the locals notice nothing. That's just water.

And trust me, I'm not here to complain about the taste of water. I'm lucky to have running water. It's a luxury many sadly don't have.

But we are here to talk about quality of tap water. While I've tasted some funky tap waters in my life, I've also been treated to some of the greatest tap water... in the world. At least that's what I've been told by a couple different friends. Have you ever had a friend who when you're at their house and you ask if the tap water is ok they say 'oooohhhhhhh yes. It's delicious water. It's better than bottled.' I have. Then I tasted the water and.... dang, they were right. Delicious.

J.D. Power ranked the states with the best and worst tap water based on customers’ feedback on which places have the best quality and reliability.
Kentucky was named the city with the very best tap water in the country. Alabama had the very worst tap water in the US.

As for New England, we did pretty well! No New England states finished in the bottom 10 - worst tap water - while two New England states finished in the top 10 for best tap water in the country. Connecticut finished in seventh place and Massachusetts did them one better, coming in at #6.

So while you can drink tap water safely in most of Massachusetts, here are a bunch of things you shouldn't do in Massachusetts. And most of them are really, really weird:

"Don't get thrown in jail for eating a sandwich at a wake" is a golden piece of advice you never knew you needed, but you do if you live in Massachusetts. I've always been kind of obsessed with strange state laws - many of them have been around for ages. I'm guessing it's a hassle to go through the process of repealing the laws so instead they just remain, hopefully mostly unenforced, just hanging out.

Did you know that in Alabama it's illegal to drive blindfolded? (OK I hope that one is enforced!!) In Kentucky it's illegal to marry the same man more than 3 times. In Texas it's illegal to sell a human eye. In Arizona it's illegal for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub. Remember if you're ever in Arkansas you can't honk your horn near a sandwich shop after 9 pm. In Indiana it's illegal to ride a horse faster than 10 miles an hour. In Connecticut a pickle must be able to bounce (but who's really going to want to eat that dirty bounced pickle?) In Hawaii it's illegal to place a coin in someone's ear. In Oregon it's illegal to go hunting in a. cemetery (sorry ghost hunters!). And in Delaware don't even attempt to sell dog fur - that's illegal there.

Massachusetts has it's own fair share of bizarre state laws too. So let's dive in! I'll give you eight bizarre laws you can actually get into trouble for breaking in the Bay State. I'll throw in a bizarre law that still stands in every New England state as well to spread the fun around a little bit.

One law that isn't bizarre but is fairly unique to Massachusetts is that Happy Hours are illegal here. We're one of 9 states in the US to ban Happy Hours. Find out what other states have banned Happy Hours and why RIGHT HERE!

And now, on with the odd Mass laws:

LAW: You can't eat more than 3 sandwiches when attending a wake in Massachusetts.

There may be light appetizers served but go easy, this ain't Costco's.

LAW: It's illegal to make clam chowder with tomatoes in Massachusetts.

Duh. That's nasty. Sorry Manhattan.

LAW: Duels to the death are permitted on the common on Sundays provided that the Governor is present.

Uhhhhhh... what?!?? Can't we just settle this with a game of chess or something?

LAW: Tattooing and body piercing is illegal.

Thankfully this one was repealed in the year 2000. Good thing or those prisons would be hella overcrowded right about now.

LAW: No gorilla is allowed in the back seat of any car. 

Obviously gorillas must be the annoying backseat drivers of the animal world.

LAW: Goatees are illegal unless you first pay a special license fee for the privilege of wearing one in public.

I'd gladly pay a small license fee to cover that middle age under-chin hump.

LAW: Snoring is prohibited unless all bedroom windows are closed and securely locked.

Don't you wish your snorefest neighbor knew this?!!

LAW: It is illegal to give beer to hospital patients.

That's not your belly that's a keg.

... to park in front of Dunkin' Donuts.

... to race a horse on a highway.

... for women to wear fake teeth without their husband's approval.

... for two people who are married to kiss in public on a Sunday

... to pick up seaweed off the beach.