The safety of tap water in Georgia is generally high, with public water systems consistently meeting federal quality standards. Water supplied by public utilities is treated and tested under strict regulations, making it safe for the majority of the population. However, overall safety depends on localized factors, such as whether the water comes from a municipal system or a private well. The age of the infrastructure delivering the water to your home can introduce localized risks not present at the source.
Regulatory Standards and Oversight in Georgia
The foundation of drinking water safety in Georgia is the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which mandates minimum standards for all public water systems. This law establishes legally enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for various substances found in drinking water, compelling utilities to treat water to meet these limits. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets these national standards and provides the framework for monitoring and public reporting.
In Georgia, the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Department of Natural Resources has the authority (primacy) to administer and enforce the SDWA within the state. The GA EPD oversees the compliance of over 2,500 active public water systems, ensuring they adhere to federal MCLs and carry out required testing. This oversight includes regular audits and the power to issue enforcement actions against systems that fail to meet treatment or monitoring requirements.
Understanding Potential Contaminants
Even with robust regulatory oversight, several categories of contaminants can affect water quality, particularly between the treatment plant and the consumer’s tap.
Infrastructure-Related Contamination
One significant concern is infrastructure-related contamination, where substances leach into the water from plumbing materials. Lead and copper, for example, do not typically originate in the source water but enter the supply through corrosion of old service lines and internal household plumbing, particularly in homes built before 1986. Georgia utilities are actively working to inventory and replace lead service lines, but the risk persists in older buildings with lead solder or brass fixtures.
Agricultural and Industrial Runoff
Another source of potential water contamination is agricultural and industrial runoff, categorized as non-point source pollution. In areas with significant farming activity, this runoff can introduce nitrates from fertilizers and various pesticides into both surface water and groundwater sources. High concentrations of nitrates are a particular concern for private wells and smaller water systems drawing from shallow aquifers. Nitrates pose a specific health risk to infants, causing methemoglobinemia (“blue baby syndrome”) by interfering with oxygen transport.
Emerging Contaminants (PFAS)
A growing concern across the state is the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These synthetic chemicals, often called “forever chemicals,” are used in various industrial and consumer products and are highly persistent in the environment. Recent monitoring in Georgia has identified PFAS in several public water systems, including those in Clayton County and the Rome area, at levels exceeding proposed standards. The EPA has established new, very low MCLs of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS, leading the GA EPD to propose updates to state regulations.
How to Verify Your Local Water Quality
Public Water Systems: Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR)
For residents served by a public water system, the most direct way to verify local water quality is by reviewing the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The SDWA requires every public water system to produce and distribute this report to customers by July 1st each year. The CCR provides a detailed summary of the water’s source, all detected contaminants from the previous calendar year, and a comparison of those levels to the established federal standards. These reports also clearly indicate whether the utility has violated any MCLs or monitoring requirements. Public water systems typically make the CCR easily accessible on their official websites.
Private Wells
For the substantial portion of Georgia’s population that relies on private groundwater wells, the regulatory framework is entirely different. Private wells are not subject to the federal or state testing and reporting mandates that apply to public systems. The responsibility for testing and maintaining water quality rests solely with the well owner. Well owners should arrange for annual testing for several key indicators:
- Coliform bacteria, which indicates possible contamination from surface water or septic systems.
- Nitrates, particularly if the well is shallow or located near agricultural fields.
- pH, as acidic water can accelerate the corrosion of plumbing.
- Lead or copper concentrations, particularly if corrosion is suspected.
Consumer Actions for Improved Water Quality
Consumers can take steps to improve the quality, taste, and safety of the water at their tap. Implementing point-of-use filtration systems is a common and effective mitigation technique. Simple activated carbon filters, found in pitcher-style or faucet-mounted devices, are highly effective at removing chlorine, chloramine, and other organic compounds that cause aesthetic issues like off-tastes and odors.
More comprehensive systems, such as under-sink carbon block filters or reverse osmosis units, offer broader contaminant reduction. Reverse osmosis is particularly capable of removing a wide range of dissolved solids, including nitrates and potentially some PFAS compounds, providing a higher level of purification. The choice of filter should be based on the specific contaminants identified in the local CCR or a private well test.
Homeowners in older properties concerned about potential lead exposure can minimize the risk by adopting simple flushing practices. If the water has been sitting motionless in the pipes for several hours, such as overnight, running the cold water tap for thirty seconds to two minutes before using it for drinking or cooking can flush out any accumulated lead. Furthermore, water intended for consumption should only ever be drawn from the cold water tap, as hot water increases the rate at which lead dissolves from plumbing materials.