Georgia Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Georgia, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Calhoun has the highest PFAS in Georgia at 290 ppt (73x the EPA limit). Atlanta has the highest lead at 88.5 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Georgia
Public water systems in Georgia with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calhoun | Calhoun · 53,090 served | 290 | 8 | 73x |
| 2 | Bremen | Bremen · 6,200 served | 168.3 | 3 | 42x |
| 3 | Chattooga County | Trion · 7,800 served | 150 | 7 | 38x |
| 4 | Floyd County | Rome · 46,143 served | 93.3 | 7 | 23x |
| 5 | Chatsworth | Chatsworth · 28,262 served | 72 | 7 | 18x |
| 6 | Lafayette | Lafayette · 18,177 served | 56 | 7 | 14x |
| 7 | Rome | Rome · 45,586 served | 52.8 | 7 | 13x |
| 8 | Augusta-Richmond Co Ws | Augusta · 204,000 served | 51.2 | 6 | 13x |
| 9 | Chickamauga | Chickamauga · 5,720 served | 40.1 | 5 | 10x |
| 10 | Dalton Utilities | Dalton · 99,315 served | 34 | 6 | 9x |
| 11 | Columbus | Columbus · 229,000 served | 33.9 | 8 | 8x |
| 12 | Catoosa Util. Dist. Authority | Ringgold · 56,670 served | 32.5 | 2 | 8x |
Highest Lead Levels in Georgia
Community water systems in Georgia with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | Atlanta · 1,089,893 served | 88.5 | 5.9x over |
| 2 | Cornelia | Cornelia · 6,130 served | 48 | 3.2x over |
| 3 | Bryan County Water System | Pembroke · 1,111 served | 47.2 | 3.1x over |
| 4 | Marion County Water System | Buena Vista · 5,875 served | 41.3 | 2.8x over |
| 5 | Unadilla | Unadilla · 3,806 served | 33 | 2.2x over |
| 6 | Crawford County Water System | Roberta · 2,392 served | 32 | 2.1x over |
| 7 | Sky Valley | Sky Valley · 1,820 served | 29 | 1.9x over |
| 8 | Glennville Water System | Glennville · 5,173 served | 24 | 1.6x over |
| 9 | Willacoochee Water System | Willacoochee · 1,723 served | 23 | 1.5x over |
| 10 | Vienna | Vienna · 3,018 served | 20 | 1.3x over |
| 11 | Young Harris | Young Harris · 2,211 served | 20 | 1.3x over |
| 12 | Gordon | Gordon · 2,291 served | 19 | 1.3x over |
Most EPA Violations in Georgia
Community water systems in Georgia with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warrenton | Warrneton · 2,800 served | 44 |
| 2 | Franklin County Water System | Carnesville · 5,638 served | 31 |
| 3 | Hahira | Hahira · 3,572 served | 29 |
| 4 | Lowndes Co.-North Lowndes Co. Ws | Valdosta · 13,190 served | 28 |
| 5 | Baldwin County | Milledgeville · 23,067 served | 26 |
| 6 | Lexington | Lexington · 1,015 served | 20 |
| 7 | Gibson | Gibson · 1,350 served | 18 |
| 8 | Maysville Water System | Maysville · 2,838 served | 17 |
| 9 | Talbot County Water Works | Talbotton · 4,028 served | 16 |
| 10 | Thomson-Mcduffie Co W&S Comm | Thomson · 21,312 served | 16 |
| 11 | Buena Vista | Buena Vista · 1,422 served | 15 |
| 12 | Valdosta | Valdosta · 48,959 served | 15 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Georgia?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Calhoun in Calhoun had the highest recorded PFAS level in Georgia at 290 ppt - about 73x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Georgia water system has the highest lead levels?
Atlanta in Atlanta had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Georgia under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 88.5 ppb - 5.9x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Georgia water system has the most EPA violations?
Warrenton in Warrneton has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Georgia, with 44 violations.
Where does the Georgia water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Georgia Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Georgia water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.