Georgia – The Peach State – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your state
Georgia’s water infrastructure serves approximately 10.9 million residents across diverse geographical regions, from the Appalachian Mountains in the north to the coastal plains in the south. The state operates through a complex network of thousands of public water systems, ranging from large municipal utilities like Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management, which serves over 1.5 million customers, to smaller rural systems providing essential services to underserved communities. Georgia’s water sources include the Chattahoochee, Savannah, Altamaha, and Coosa river systems, along with numerous reservoirs and groundwater aquifers that supply both urban centers and agricultural areas.
Despite abundant water resources with 70,150 miles of rivers and streams, Georgia faces significant infrastructure challenges. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2024 Infrastructure Report Card, Georgia’s overall infrastructure received a C+ grade, with drinking water investment needs estimated at $19.7 billion over the next 20 years, up from $12.5 billion in 2018. The state has received over $66 million in federal infrastructure investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address these challenges, focusing on drinking water safety, wastewater treatment upgrades, and emerging contaminant removal including PFAS “forever chemicals.” Georgia’s commitment to water quality improvement is demonstrated through partnerships between the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), local utilities, and federal agencies working to ensure safe, reliable water access for all residents.
Georgia Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Statewide Compliance and Testing
- Overall Compliance: The majority of Georgia’s public water systems meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, though 112 systems have tested positive for PFAS contamination above detection limits during EPA monitoring.
- PFAS Monitoring: Georgia EPD has completed a comprehensive three-year PFAS monitoring initiative, testing all surface water systems and groundwater systems serving over 500 people, with results available on the interactive PFAS Story Map.
- Infrastructure Investment: Over $66 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been allocated to Georgia for water infrastructure improvements, including $20.7 million specifically for emerging contaminant treatment and disadvantaged communities.
Major Water Sources and Challenges
- Chattahoochee River Basin: Primary source for Atlanta and surrounding metro area, serving over 4 million people with documented PFAS contamination requiring ongoing monitoring and treatment planning.
- Savannah River Basin: Supplies water to eastern Georgia including Augusta and Savannah, facing PFAS challenges with some samples exceeding EPA’s 4 parts per trillion limit for PFOA and PFOS.
- Asset Management Requirements: Since January 2024, all public water systems serving over 3,300 people must develop comprehensive asset management plans as part of permit renewals to ensure proactive infrastructure maintenance.
Emerging Contaminant Response
- PFAS Regulation Implementation: New EPA drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (4 parts per trillion) take effect in 2029, requiring significant infrastructure investments from affected water systems, with particularly elevated levels found in Clayton County, Augusta area, and Calhoun.
- Treatment Technology Deployment: Water utilities are implementing advanced treatment technologies including activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis systems to remove PFAS and other emerging contaminants, with Georgia Tech leading research on improved membrane technologies.
- Legal and Regulatory Action: The city of Calhoun has reached a comprehensive settlement to address widespread PFAS pollution, including wastewater treatment plant upgrades and residential well investigation programs, serving as a model for accountability.
Rural and Disadvantaged Communities
- Infrastructure Disparities: Rural water systems face disproportionate challenges with aging infrastructure, limited technical capacity, and higher per-capita costs for compliance with new regulations, particularly affecting systems serving under 3,300 people.
- Targeted Federal Support: Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) provides funding through Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, with enhanced support for disadvantaged communities through grants and forgivable loans.
- Technical Assistance Programs: EPD provides enhanced technical support including electronic plan review systems and stakeholder meetings to help smaller systems navigate complex regulatory requirements and secure funding for necessary improvements.
Looking Forward: 2025-2030
Georgia’s water quality landscape is undergoing significant transformation as utilities prepare for new federal PFAS regulations taking effect in 2029. The state’s proactive three-year PFAS monitoring program, combined with substantial federal infrastructure investments and new asset management requirements, positions Georgia to address emerging water quality challenges effectively. However, successful implementation will require continued collaboration between state regulators, water utilities, and communities to ensure that all Georgians have access to safe, affordable drinking water while addressing the $19.7 billion infrastructure investment gap and managing rapid population growth that continues to strain existing systems.
Recommendations for Georgia Residents
Know Your Water Source
Contact your water utility to request annual water quality reports and ask about PFAS testing results. Visit Georgia EPD’s interactive PFAS Story Map to access your local system’s testing data and understand any contaminants of concern in your area.
Support Infrastructure Investment
Stay informed about local water infrastructure needs and support utility rate structures that enable necessary improvements. Attend public meetings when utilities discuss infrastructure upgrades and PFAS treatment investments to meet the $19.7 billion statewide funding need.
Consider PFAS-Certified Filtration
For areas with known PFAS contamination, consider NSF-certified activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters specifically tested for PFAS removal. These can provide additional protection while utilities implement treatment upgrades by the 2029 compliance deadline.
Report Water Quality Concerns
Contact your local water utility immediately for taste, odor, or color concerns. Report suspected contamination to Georgia EPD’s Environmental Compliance Division for investigation and follow-up through their online portal or direct contact.
Practice Water Conservation
Support Georgia’s water sustainability by implementing conservation measures like efficient irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and low-flow fixtures. Reducing demand helps utilities maintain system reliability and affordability while managing rapid population growth.
Georgia Cities We Cover
Atlanta Water Quality
Comprehensive analysis of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management, serving over 1.5 million customers in the metro area. Includes information on Chattahoochee River sources, treatment processes, infrastructure modernization, and PFAS monitoring across the system.
Augusta Water Quality
Detailed assessment of Augusta’s water systems along the Savannah River basin, covering water quality testing, source protection, and compliance with emerging contaminant regulations in Georgia’s second-largest city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgia’s tap water safe to drink?
Most of Georgia’s public water systems meet federal drinking water standards and are safe for consumption. However, 112 systems have tested positive for PFAS contamination above detection limits.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division requires comprehensive testing across all public water systems and has completed a three-year PFAS monitoring initiative. Water utilities are implementing advanced treatment technologies and the state has received over $66 million in federal funding to address emerging contaminants and infrastructure needs. Residents should review their utility’s annual water quality report and check Georgia EPD’s PFAS Story Map for local conditions.
What are PFAS chemicals and why are they a concern in Georgia?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic “forever chemicals” that don’t break down naturally in the environment or human body.
Georgia has documented PFAS contamination in multiple watersheds, with particularly elevated levels in Clayton County (500% above EPA reporting levels), Augusta area (1606.7% above), and Calhoun (over 9500% above). These chemicals have been linked to cancer, liver damage, immune system effects, and other health concerns. The EPA finalized new drinking water standards in 2024 limiting PFOA and PFOS to 4 parts per trillion, requiring water systems to comply by 2029. Georgia Tech is leading national research on advanced membrane technologies for PFAS removal.
How can I find out about my local water quality?
Georgia residents can access comprehensive water quality information through several resources:
• Annual Water Quality Reports: Contact your water utility directly for their Consumer Confidence Report, which details all testing results and any violations or concerns
• Georgia EPD PFAS Story Map: Visit the interactive online map to access PFAS testing results and compliance information for your local water system
• Electronic Plan Review System: Georgia EPD now provides electronic access to drinking water system information and permitting data
• Municipal Water Portals: Large systems like Atlanta and Savannah provide detailed PFAS information on their websites, including current test results and treatment plans
Why does Georgia have water infrastructure challenges?
Georgia’s water infrastructure faces several interconnected challenges:
Rapid Population Growth: Georgia’s population of 10.9 million continues to grow rapidly, straining existing water systems and requiring substantial expansion
Funding Gaps: The American Society of Civil Engineers rates Georgia’s overall infrastructure as C+, with drinking water investment needs of $19.7 billion over 20 years
Climate Challenges: Georgia faces increasing vulnerability to water extremes including droughts and flooding, requiring enhanced resilience planning
Emerging Contaminants: New regulations for PFAS and lead service line replacement create additional compliance costs for utilities
The state is addressing these challenges through federal infrastructure investments, new asset management requirements for larger systems, and enhanced regulatory oversight to prioritize the most critical improvements.
Contaminants of Concern
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
Source: Industrial manufacturing along major watersheds, military bases including Dobbins Air Force Base, carpet industry in northwest Georgia, and consumer products including non-stick cookware and stain-resistant textiles
Health Effects: Linked to kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, immune system suppression, high cholesterol, and developmental effects in children, with Georgia experiencing elevated cancer rates in affected areas
Current Status: 112 Georgia water systems have tested positive for PFAS, with extreme elevations in Calhoun (9500% above EPA reporting levels), Augusta area (1606% above), and Clayton County (500% above), requiring treatment upgrades by 2029 EPA Limits: 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS individually, with hazard index for other PFAS compounds
Legacy Industrial Contaminants
Source: Historical mining, textile manufacturing, and chemical production activities throughout Georgia, particularly in the Atlanta industrial corridor, Augusta area, and coastal regions with paper mill operations
Health Effects: Varies by contaminant but may include cardiovascular effects, neurological impacts, kidney damage, and increased cancer risk from prolonged exposure to heavy metals and industrial chemicals
Current Status: Ongoing monitoring and remediation at identified sites, with enhanced treatment at affected water systems and source water protection measures under Georgia’s comprehensive water quality standards Regulatory Response: Georgia EPD oversight and cleanup requirements under state and federal environmental laws, with updated criteria through 2022 Triennial Review
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