Tap water in the City of Atlanta is consistently regulated, treated, and considered safe to drink, meeting or surpassing all federal quality standards. The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) is the utility responsible for this service, covering a large metropolitan area. Water quality is high due to comprehensive municipal treatment and monitoring processes. However, understanding tap water safety involves both the utility’s work and the condition of the private plumbing inside a home. Potential risks often arise after the water leaves the public distribution system and enters private property.
Atlanta’s Comprehensive Water Quality Assurance System
Atlanta’s public water supply is sourced primarily from the Chattahoochee River and its associated reservoirs. The Atlanta Department of Watershed Management utilizes two main treatment facilities, the Hemphill and Chattahoochee Water Treatment Plants, to process this surface water supply. These plants collectively provide nearly 100 million gallons of treated drinking water daily to over a million residents.
The treatment process involves multiple stages to ensure the removal of contaminants and pathogens before the water enters the distribution network. Raw water first undergoes coagulation and flocculation, where chemicals are added to clump small particles together. This is followed by filtration, which physically removes these larger aggregates. Finally, the water is disinfected, typically using chlorine or chloramines, to eliminate any remaining microorganisms and maintain safety as it travels through the pipes.
The DWM adheres to the safety limits established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). To confirm compliance, the city conducts extensive water quality testing. DWM performs more than 50,000 tests annually to screen for over 150 potential contaminants, ensuring the water leaving the municipal treatment facilities is safe.
Understanding Lead Exposure and Residential Plumbing Risks
Although the water leaving Atlanta’s treatment plants is virtually lead-free, lead can enter drinking water after it reaches the home, primarily through older plumbing materials. Lead service lines, household fixtures, and solder used in plumbing installed before the 1986 federal ban are the most common sources of contamination. This issue is particularly relevant for older homes, where the internal plumbing may contain these materials.
The city actively employs corrosion control techniques during the treatment process, which involves adjusting the water’s pH and alkalinity to reduce its corrosiveness. This strategy helps create a protective coating inside pipes, minimizing the leaching of lead and other metals into the water. However, this municipal effort does not completely eliminate the risk, especially in homes with existing lead components.
If a home was built before 1986, residents should take steps to reduce potential exposure to lead. A simple action is to flush the cold water faucet for at least 30 seconds to several minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. This is especially important if the water has been stagnant for several hours, as flushing removes water that has been sitting in contact with lead pipes or fixtures.
Another proactive measure is to test the water inside the home, as lead is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it undetectable without laboratory analysis. Residents can contact the Atlanta DWM or independent commercial laboratories for home testing kits. Consider installing a point-of-use water filter certified by a third-party organization, such as NSF International, specifically for lead reduction.
Accessing Official Water Quality Reports
Residents can verify the quality of their drinking water by reviewing the official reports published by the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. The most comprehensive document is the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which details the results of all water quality testing conducted throughout the previous calendar year.
Federal regulations mandate that all community water systems, including Atlanta’s DWM, must distribute the CCR to customers no later than July 1st each year. This report lists any detected contaminants, their levels, and whether those levels comply with the standards set by the EPA. The CCR is a transparent tool for residents to educate themselves on the compounds found in their local water supply.
These reports are typically made available on the Atlanta DWM website, often under a section dedicated to water quality or regulatory compliance. Reviewing the CCR allows residents to see the data that confirms the water’s adherence to federal safety requirements. For specific questions about the report or home water testing options, residents can contact the DWM directly via their customer service channels.