The tap water supplied by the City of Savannah Water System meets or exceeds all federal and state safety standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The water is consistently monitored, treated, and deemed safe for consumption directly from the tap. The City of Savannah maintains an aggressive testing schedule and infrastructure management program to ensure high water quality year-round. This process focuses on protecting the water at its source, treating it to remove impurities, and maintaining the vast network of pipes that deliver it.
Where Savannah’s Water Comes From
The majority of Savannah’s drinking water is sourced from the Floridan Aquifer, a vast, deep underground reservoir that spans several states. This groundwater source is naturally protected, drawn from 22 wells that extend hundreds of feet below the surface. The deep geological layers above the aquifer provide a natural filtration system, contributing to the high initial quality of the raw water, which requires minimal treatment before entering the distribution system.
However, to meet growing demand and protect the aquifer from increasing saltwater intrusion, the Savannah Main System now relies on a second source. This supplementary supply is surface water drawn from Abercorn Creek, a tributary of the Savannah River. This surface water has accounted for a significant portion of the total supply, with the proportion expected to increase over time. The blending of these two sources requires two distinct treatment processes to ensure uniform quality across the entire service area.
Ensuring Safety Through Treatment and Distribution
The treatment protocols for Savannah’s water differ significantly based on the source quality. The naturally clean water drawn from the Floridan Aquifer requires only basic treatment. This primarily involves disinfection through chlorination and the addition of fluoride to support dental health.
The surface water from Abercorn Creek, which is susceptible to environmental factors, undergoes a multi-stage process. This treatment begins with the addition of coagulants, such as alum and polymer, at a rapid-mix stage to encourage fine particles to clump together. The water then moves to flocculation and sedimentation basins, where gentle mixing helps these clumps, known as floc, settle out naturally. Following sedimentation, the water is pushed through a filtration system containing materials like sand and anthracite coal, which physically removes remaining microscopic impurities.
After filtration, the surface water is disinfected using a combination of chlorine and ammonia to neutralize any remaining pathogens. The final stage involves balancing the water’s pH and corrosiveness, often with the addition of lime and phosphate. The Savannah Water Resources department actively manages the extensive distribution network, including routine flushing and pressure maintenance, to prevent contamination. The city is also completing a comprehensive inventory of all water service lines to identify and proactively address potential sources of lead exposure, complying with new federal regulations.
Understanding Savannah’s Water Quality Reports
The annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), required by the EPA and the Georgia EPD, documents Savannah’s water safety. This report provides water quality data from the previous calendar year, serving as the primary tool for public transparency. The City of Savannah Water Supply and Treatment Department performs extensive testing, with over 143,000 tests conducted on more than 160 different parameters annually.
The CCR lists all detected contaminants and compares them against the established federal limits, known as the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). The MCL is the highest concentration of a substance permitted in public drinking water. It is set by the EPA as close as possible to the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG), the level at which no known health effects would occur. The city consistently reports results that are well within these regulatory thresholds, demonstrating continuous compliance with public health standards.
Testing focuses on disinfection byproducts, such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids, which form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter. The utility monitors these compounds closely to ensure they remain at safe levels. Another common concern is lead, which is not present in the source water but can enter the drinking water from older household plumbing or service lines. Residents are advised to run their cold water tap for 30 seconds to two minutes after it has been sitting unused to flush stagnant water from their private plumbing.