Objective To investigate the correlations among heavy metals and between heavy metals and other common water quality indicators in drinking water.

Methods A total of 6 983 samples of the finished water, secondary supply water and tap water were collected from all rural townships and urban areas across the capital city of a province in southern China from 2015 to 2020, and the correlation between heavy metals and other indicators was analyzed.

Results The excessive contents of Al, Mn, Fe and Zn could have certain influence on the excessive contents of other sensory and general chemical indicators, in which Fe had a strong influence. The excessive contents of Fe, Zn and Se could affect the excessive content of microorganisms. The heavy metal pollution was mainly affected by water source type (OR=2.028) and region (OR=2.326), followed by water season (OR=1.612), and the effect of water treatment method was weak (OR=1.235). There was no statistical significance in the effect of water sample types and water supply methods.

Conclusion Heavy metals indicators in drinking water are closely related to each other, and to other sensory and chemical indicators, Heavy metal pollution in drinking water is mainly related to the source control of mineral resources exploitation, metal smelting, chemical manufacturing and regional social development patterns.