Objectives To understand the water quality and hygienic status of rural centralized water supply in Poyang lake ecological economic zone in Jiangxi province in 2012.

Methods A field survey was conducted in 882 rural centralized water supplies of 18 counties in Poyang lake ecological Economic zone by filling an unified investigation form. A total of 3 528 water samples were tested according to the standard examination methods for drinking water (GB/T 5750-2006).

Results The population coverage of rural centralized water supplies in 18 counties of Poyang lake ecological economic zone was 36.80% in 2012, while it was 32.46% in 2011 and 23.92% in 2010, with an upward trend year by year. Among 3 528 water samples, 35.71% was from surface water and 64.29% from ground water. The centrally supplied water treated by full or part processing accounted for 60.09%. The qualified rate was 47.68% in the comprehensive evaluation of centralized water supplies. The qualified rate was higher in treated water from the outlet of water factories (47.68%) than pipe water (43.08%). The qualified rate during the wet and dry period was 46.77% and 43.99%, respectively. Among the items tested in laboratories, the qualified rate of total coliform bacteria was the lowest, which was 59.86% in the treated water and 54.99% in the tap water, 59.07% in the wet period and 55.78% in the dry period.

Conclusions The water quality from rural centralized water supplies in Poyang Lake Ecological Economic Zone still needs to be further improved.