Abstract: Objective To understand the drinking water quality in rural area in Taigu county in Shanxi province and provide evidence to promote the rural drinking water safety project. Methods The rural drinking water quality surveillance was conducted in 55 surveillance sites in 9 townships in Taigu. The water sample were detected according to Standard test method of drinking water (GB/T 5750 - 2006) and evaluated according to Hygienic standard of drinking water (GB 5749 - 2006). Results The unqualified rate of sense organ and general chemical indicators was 10.38%, the unqualified rate for pollution indicators was 8.18%. The unqualified rate for bacterial indicators was 28.18%. The unqualified items mainly included total numbers of colony, total coliform group, heat proof coliform group, turbidity, nitrite nitrogen and visible residue. Conclusion The problems in disinfection of drinking water supplied in rural area in Taigu still existed, resulting the low drinking water quality. The government and society should take measures to improve drinking water quality and strengthen the management and surveillance of centralized water supply for the peoples health.