Based on the documents on drinking-water source evaluation included in Web of Science (WOS), the knowledge domain map of drinking-water source evaluation was established by the comprehensive use of bibliometrics tools and traditional literature review methods, the historical development and evolution process was analyzed, and the future development trend was also given. The results show that this field has experienced three stages of early accumulation, sustained development and rapid expansion, showing a trend of multi-disciplinary integration with environmental science, environmental engineering and water resources as the core. The research topics are abundant, showing a trend of continuous expansion, but the heat distribution of the topics generally show a continuous concentration trend. The preference of different countries or regions for drinking-water source evaluation research is mainly determined by the major type of drinking-water sources and the main pollution stress that they face. At present, the important research frontiers and hot spots involve 9 aspects, such as the harm of emerging pollutants, the effect of pollutant removal process, the eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs, water quality assessment methods, human health risks of water pollution, new technologies for pollutant detection, the impact of climate change on drinking-water source, the relationship of industrial or agricultural production and drinking-water safety, and the ecosystem health in drinking-water source. In the future, it is necessary to fully summarize the system characteristics of different types of drinking-water sources and establish an intelligence-integrated technology system of monitoring, assessment, forecasting, early-warning and response for drinking-water sources. Particular attention should be paid to the quantitative characterization, evolution modes and driving mechanism of drinking-water source system health.