32 Water Quality Spotlight: Iceland

In the summer of 2023, I studied abroad in Iceland for a renewable energy, sustainable technology, and resource economics program. Over 3 months, I learned about Iceland’s culture, geography, political system, and appreciation of land. One of the major takeaways from that experience was access to clean water. Tap water comes from local springs, meaning that at some waterways, you can drink straight from a river or waterfall. (photo 1). Another experience I had with Icelandic water is when showering, hot water smells like sulfur due to the geothermal energy used to heat the water.  Overall, in Iceland, I had extensive access to accessible water, which, while it may have smelled, was clean, safe water. Iceland is recognized as one of the nations with the best water quality. (JF)

(photo of me in front of a waterfall where my friend Ivan refilled his water bottle from!)