Abstract: Objective To understand the situation of drinking water safety in the rural of Jianghan plain and to provide scientific basis for complete implementation of central water supply in rural area.Methods The surveys of 14 central water supply plants and 49 discrete water supplies in six counties of Jingzhou were conducted.Results There was 66.67% of the population not covered by central water supply in Jingzhou.Mostindicators of water quality didn't meet the national standard (GB57492006).Among all samples from discrete water suppy,the unqualified rate for chrom a,turbidity,visible subject,nitrate,and mang anese was 29.5%,2.0%,73.5%,2.0%,and 18.4%,respectively,and all the samples belonged to unsafe drinking water.Of all samples from central water supply of township,the unqualified rate for turbidity,total hardness,iron,oxygen consumption,total number of bacteria,and visible object was 28.6%,7.1%,14.3%,7.1%,14.3%,and 64.3%,respectively.The equipments of central water supply plants in villages and towns were not perfect.There were at least one to three indicatiors for all water samples of central water supply plants exceeding national standard.Conclusion The water quality of rural central water supply projects in Jingzhou does not achieve national standards basically and there are uncerta inties for the safety of the rural drinking water.