Objective To investigate the amount of microcystin-LR in drinking water from Taihu area. Method Drinking water samp les obtained from local markets were analysed by enzyme2linked immunosorbent assay ( EL ISA ). Results In 80 samp les, the amount ofMC-LR was in the range of 50-88 ng/L. The amount ofMC-LR in tap water, river water and Taihu lake water were in the range of 52-71, 311-557 and 617-3033 ng/L respectively. Conclusion There were no significant difference for the positive rate ofMC-LR between the drinking water and the water from other sources. The positive rate of MC-LR in the drinking water from Wuxi region was higher than that from Changzhou and Suzhou regions.