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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 40 cities in Georgia
It depends on your utility. 5 of the 27 Georgia water systems we grade from EPA records have a health-based violation in the last five years; the state averages 86/100 (2 below the national 88). Lowest graded: Valdosta (F). Highest: Lawrenceville (A).
Georgia's official certified-lab list, when to test well vs city water, typical lab prices, and how to take a first-draw lead sample.
Across the 27 Georgia water systems we can grade from EPA records, the average score is 86/100 — 2 points below the U.S. national average of 88/100. 59% of graded Georgia cities (16 of 27) score above that national benchmark, and 16 earn a Grade A. 5 cities have at least one health-based EPA violation in the last five years. 13 cities are not graded because we have not yet matched them to an EPA water system.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in Georgia water systems are disinfection byproducts (chlorination), lead (older infrastructure) and radium (some groundwater). See the full breakdown in our Georgia water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in Georgia
975,000 residents
434,517 residents
168,958 residents
140,000 residents
130,024 residents
127,084 residents
83,705 residents
48,451 residents
36,846 residents
32,471 residents
25,200 residents
60,100 residents
40,508 residents
7,195 residents
1,089,893 residents
14,300 residents
101,245 residents
125,000 residents
229,000 residents
204,000 residents
99,315 residents
45,586 residents
19,742 residents
28,423 residents
33,712 residents
18,636 residents
48,959 residents
108,080 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
82,788 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
55,366 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
51,683 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
43,516 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
41,647 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
39,252 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
38,633 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
36,239 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
35,301 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
29,538 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
25,238 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
22,683 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
Georgia's water quality reflects the state's diverse geography, from the Appalachian foothills to the coastal plain. Rapid population growth, particularly in metro Atlanta, creates ongoing infrastructure challenges. The state benefits from abundant rainfall but must manage competing demands for surface water resources.
Across the 27 Georgia cities graded from EPA records, the average water quality score is 86/100. 4 cities score below 70 (D or F) because of health-based violations, lead results, PFAS or historical readings near a limit. The highest-rated city is Lawrenceville with a score of 100/100, while Valdosta has the most room for improvement at 33/100.
4 of the 27 Georgia cities we grade score below 70/100. If your city is one of them — or you just want extra protection — a certified filter is the fastest way to reduce exposure. The findings that drag a score down (lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrate) are exactly the ones a basic carbon pitcher does not remove.
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Metro Atlanta relies primarily on Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River. Coastal communities access the Floridan Aquifer. Central Georgia draws from rivers and smaller reservoirs. Private wells serve many rural residents, accessing various aquifer systems depending on location.
These contaminants have been detected in various Georgia water systems
Georgia Environmental Protection Division regulates drinking water. The state has been working to address aging infrastructure in Atlanta and other urban areas. Georgia participates in regional water management agreements for the Chattahoochee and other shared water resources.
Older homes in Atlanta and other urban areas may have lead service lines or lead solder. Coastal areas should be aware of saltwater intrusion potential. Some regions have naturally occurring radium in groundwater. Agricultural areas may have elevated pesticide levels.
Georgia residents in older homes should test for lead and consider certified filters if levels are elevated. Coastal residents should monitor saltwater intrusion and consider reverse osmosis if needed. Stay informed about your water utility's infrastructure plans and water quality reports.
Most Georgia cities we grade have tap water in good standing with EPA. With an average score of 86/100 across 27 graded cities, Georgia generally has good water quality. However, water quality varies by utility, so check your specific city's report.
The most common water quality concerns in Georgia include disinfection byproducts (chlorination), lead (older infrastructure), radium (some groundwater). These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. With 4 Georgia cities grading D or F on EPA records, residents in those areas may benefit from filtration. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in Georgia are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in Georgia water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in Georgia. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual Georgia city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
On EPA records, Lawrenceville has the highest water quality score in Georgia at 100/100 (Grade A). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in Georgia page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in Georgia are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area