Water is an abundant natural resource essential for the existence of life on earth. For this resource to be consumed by humans, it is necessary to know the source, quality, treatment, storage and distribution. Thus, the present study aimed to present the scientific evidence available in the literature on the physical-chemical and microbiological quality of water used in rural communities in Brazil. This is a literature review. The stages of this review were carried out between March, April, and May 2020. The databases selected for the search for scientific evidence were GOOGLE ACADÉMICO, SCIELO and VHL. The descriptors established were ‘Water Analysis’, ‘Rural Water Supply’ and ‘Drinking Water’, in Portuguese and English. In total, 300 articles were selected for reading the title and abstract. Of these, 10 articles were read in full. Finally, 4 articles responded to the objective proposed in this review. The presence of total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms was observed in most of the analyzed waters. Most of the studies found water with chlorides, pH, free residual chlorine, color, turbidity, and fluorides outside the parameters stipulated by ordinances 518/2004 and 2,914/2011 of the Ministry of Health. Most of the parameters of the analyzed waters were outside the parameters stipulated by the Resolutions and Ordinances in force, significantly increasing the risk of diseases related to the lack of adequate and effective treatment of this resource.