Objective To analyze the quality of urban drinking water and its changing trend in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, from 2011 to 2019, and to provide a scientific basis for improving the water quality and public health protection.

Methods Analysis and evaluation were performed on the monitoring results of urban drinking water in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2019.

Results A total 5 916 water samples were collected and examined, among which 4 084 (69.1%) were qualified. The qualified rates significantly increased from 57.5% in 2011 to 82.4% in 2019. Over 9 years, the urban drinking water had a significantly increased qualified rates in wet season (from 58.3% to 81.0%) and in dry season (from 56.6% to 83.8%), showing a fluctuating trend of rising. Over 9 years, the urban drinking water quality showed a fluctuating trend of rising in sensory properties (87.6% - 98.6%), general chemical indicators (68.9% - 94.1%), microbial indicators (88.9% - 97.8%), and toxicological indicators (84.1% - 93.2%). The main unqualified indicators were fluoride, manganese, sulfate, and total hardness during 9 years, which showed a significant downward trend.

Conclusion The quality of urban drinking water in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region shows a rising trend in the overall qualified rates. It is necessary to continue to strengthen the protection and hygiene management of drinking water.