Augusta – Georgia – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Augusta Utilities provides comprehensive water services to approximately 200,000 residents across the Augusta-Richmond County metropolitan area in east-central Georgia. Established as a municipal utility serving Georgia’s second-largest city, the system encompasses over 1,800 miles of water distribution lines, multiple treatment facilities, and advanced infrastructure that delivers an average of 40 million gallons of drinking water daily to the greater Augusta region.
Augusta sources its drinking water from two primary sources: the Savannah River through the Highland Avenue Water Treatment Plant and the Cretaceous Aquifer through groundwater wells that feed Plants No. 1 and No. 2. The Highland Avenue facility draws water from the historic Savannah River via the Augusta Canal, while 28 groundwater wells provide approximately 15 million gallons daily from the deep aquifer. Augusta’s water consistently meets federal and state quality standards, though the utility faces ongoing challenges including infrastructure modernization, emerging contaminants like PFAS, and recovery from natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
Augusta Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Compliance Status: Augusta Utilities maintains full compliance with EPA and Georgia Environmental Protection Division regulations for drinking water quality, conducting comprehensive testing throughout the distribution system.
- Testing Scope: The utility conducts extensive water quality monitoring across both surface water and groundwater sources, including regular testing at treatment facilities and throughout the distribution network.
- Hurricane Helene Response: Following the September 2024 hurricane that temporarily shut down the water system, comprehensive testing confirmed water safety before lifting the boil water advisory in early October 2024.
Water Sources
- Savannah River: Primary surface water source accessed through the historic Augusta Canal, providing water to the Highland Avenue Water Treatment Plant with capacity for up to 86 million gallons per day.
- Cretaceous Aquifer: Deep groundwater source accessed through 28 wells (10 for Plant No. 2, 14 for Plant No. 1), providing approximately 15 million gallons daily of naturally filtered groundwater.
- Watershed Protection: Participation in the Savannah River Clean Water Fund, a bi-state initiative focused on forest conservation and pollution prevention to protect the 2.8 million acre Savannah River watershed.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Highland Avenue Plant: Conventional surface water treatment using coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorine disinfection, with lime and fluoride addition for optimal water quality.
- Groundwater Plants: Advanced treatment of deep aquifer water with corrosion control chemicals, fluoride addition, and comprehensive disinfection to ensure safety and palatability.
- Smart Monitoring: Implementation of Digi Connect Sensor technology for real-time monitoring of vital infrastructure, enhancing system visibility and preventing overflows while ensuring environmental compliance.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Rate Investment Program: A 4.5% annual rate increase beginning January 2025 supports critical infrastructure upgrades, operational improvements, and long-term system reliability investments.
- Hurricane Recovery: Significant infrastructure improvements following Hurricane Helene, including generator backup systems and enhanced debris management protocols to prevent future service disruptions.
- Distribution System Upgrades: Ongoing replacement and modernization of aging water mains and service lines throughout the 1,800-mile distribution network to improve reliability and water quality.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Augusta Utilities provides comprehensive customer support through multiple service centers, online bill payment options, and 24/7 emergency response. The utility offers flexible payment methods including bank draft services and maintains transparent communication through annual water quality reports. Following recent challenges including Hurricane Helene and ongoing infrastructure needs, Augusta Utilities demonstrates commitment to reliable service through strategic investments, enhanced monitoring systems, and proactive emergency preparedness to ensure safe, dependable water supply for current and future customers.
Recommendations for Augusta Residents
Monitor Water Quality
Contact Augusta Utilities Water Quality Manager at (706) 828-7107 for information about water testing or to request quality reports. Stay informed about any temporary advisories, especially during severe weather events.
Follow Conservation Guidelines
Observe Georgia’s outdoor watering restrictions: water any day between 4 PM and 10 AM, with no watering 10 AM-4 PM. Follow odd/even address schedules for car washing and power washing activities.
Consider Home Filtration
While Augusta’s water meets safety standards, homes may benefit from NSF-certified filters (Standard 53) for taste improvement and additional protection against disinfection byproducts and emerging contaminants like PFAS.
Emergency Preparedness
Keep emergency water supplies on hand during hurricane season. Sign up for city notifications at augustaga.gov to receive alerts about water service disruptions, boil advisories, and system updates.
Report Issues
Contact Augusta Utilities Customer Service at (706) 821-1851 for water quality concerns, service issues, or emergencies. Report water main breaks, pressure problems, or taste and odor issues promptly to help maintain system integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Augusta’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Augusta’s tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The city’s water comes from two sources: the Savannah River through surface water treatment and the Cretaceous Aquifer through deep groundwater wells.
Augusta Utilities conducts comprehensive testing across both treatment systems to ensure water quality. The Highland Avenue Plant treats Savannah River water using conventional multi-barrier treatment, while groundwater from the deep aquifer undergoes advanced treatment with corrosion control. The utility maintains transparent reporting through annual water quality reports and responds quickly to any service disruptions, as demonstrated during the Hurricane Helene recovery in 2024.
What happened during Hurricane Helene?
Hurricane Helene hit Augusta in September 2024, causing significant damage to the water system infrastructure:
1. System shutdown: Debris clogged intake lines and power outages forced the water system offline for 24-48 hours in most areas
2. Boil water advisory: A precautionary advisory was issued when service resumed, then lifted after comprehensive testing confirmed water safety
3. Recovery improvements: The utility has since implemented enhanced backup power systems and improved debris management protocols
The experience has strengthened Augusta’s emergency preparedness and highlighted the importance of infrastructure resilience investments.
Are there PFAS “forever chemicals” in Augusta’s water?
Augusta is actively monitoring for PFAS compounds in accordance with Georgia Environmental Protection Division requirements:
• Current testing: Georgia EPD is conducting comprehensive PFAS monitoring across the state, expected to be complete by December 2025
• EPA regulations: New federal drinking water standards for PFAS take effect in 2027 for monitoring and 2029 for compliance
• Regional context: While some Georgia water systems have detected PFAS, Augusta participates in the Savannah River Clean Water Fund to protect source water quality
Augusta Utilities will continue monitoring and is prepared to implement treatment technologies if needed to meet all regulatory requirements.
Why are water rates increasing?
Augusta implemented a 4.5% rate increase beginning January 2025, with similar annual increases planned to address critical infrastructure needs:
Investment priorities:
• Infrastructure upgrades and modernization of aging water mains and treatment facilities
• Enhanced emergency preparedness and backup systems following Hurricane Helene
• Rising operational costs and compliance with new federal drinking water regulations
Customer impact: For the average residential customer using 5,000 gallons monthly, the increase represents approximately $2.23 additional per month. These investments ensure long-term system reliability and continued compliance with water quality standards.
Contaminants of Concern
Disinfection Byproducts
Source: Formed when chlorine disinfectants react with naturally occurring organic matter in the Savannah River and groundwater sources; levels may vary seasonally with temperature and organic content
Health Effects: Long-term exposure to elevated levels may increase risk of certain cancers and potentially affect liver, kidney, and central nervous system function
Current Levels: Monitored regularly throughout the distribution system with levels maintained below EPA maximum contaminant levels EPA Limits: 80 ppb for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and 60 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA5)
PFAS Compounds
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from industrial processes, firefighting foams, and consumer products that can enter the Savannah River watershed and potentially groundwater sources
Health Effects: Research suggests potential concerns including impacts on immune system, thyroid function, cholesterol levels, and possible links to certain cancers including kidney and testicular cancer
Current Status: Georgia EPD ongoing monitoring initiative across the state; Augusta participates in Savannah River watershed protection programs to prevent contamination EPA Limits: New EPA regulations set limits of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, effective 2029
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