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Georgia Water Quality
565
Utilities in database
10.4M
Residents served
28%
On private wells
3
Key contaminants tracked
Drinking Water in Georgia
Georgia has 565 community water systems serving approximately 10.4 million residents. Primary water sources include groundwater. The most commonly reported contaminants include disinfection byproducts, nitrates, arsenic. 28% of Georgia residents rely on private wells. EPD holds primary enforcement authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Utilities in Georgia
Top 20 of 565 by populationAtlanta
GA1210001 · 1,089,893 served
Gwinnett Co. Dept. of Water Resources
GA1350004 · 975,000 served
Dekalb County
GA0890001 · 743,000 served
Cobb County
GA0670003 · 695,000 served
North Fulton County
GA1210005 · 434,517 served
Clayton County Water Authority
GA0630000 · 298,374 served
Columbus
GA2150000 · 229,000 served
Cherokee County
GA0570002 · 224,427 served
Augusta-richmond Co Ws
GA2450000 · 204,000 served
Henry County Water Authority
GA1510001 · 187,437 served
Savannah-main
GA0510003 · 168,958 served
Forsyth Co. Water & Sewer
GA1170050 · 161,200 served
Gainesville
GA1390001 · 140,000 served
Macon Water Authority
GA0210001 · 130,024 served
Douglasville-douglas County Wsa
GA0970000 · 127,084 served
Athens-clarke Co Water System
GA0590000 · 125,000 served
Columbia County
GA0730000 · 124,763 served
Paulding County Water System
GA2230002 · 117,468 served
Albany
GA0950000 · 101,245 served
Dalton Utilities
GA3130000 · 99,315 served
Key Contaminant Concerns in Georgia
Nitrates
Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is a nitrogen-containing compound that forms naturally through the decomposition of organic matter. At elevated concentrations — almost always from human activity — nitrate interferes with the blood's ability to carry oxygen. The United States produces over 23 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer annually, making agricultural runoff the dominant source of nitrate contamination.
DBPs
When utilities add chlorine to water to kill pathogens, it reacts with dissolved organic matter — leaves, algae, soil — to produce disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Over 600 DBPs have been identified. The EPA regulates two groups: total trihalomethanes (TTHMs, including chloroform) and haloacetic acids (HAA5). DBP levels tend to be highest in surface water systems and in warm months when organic matter is elevated.
Arsenic
Arsenic (As) occurs naturally in rock and soil, dissolving into groundwater through natural weathering processes. Inorganic arsenic — the form found in drinking water — is a known human carcinogen. The western United States has particularly arsenic-rich geological formations, but elevated levels have been found in 48 states. Arsenic is tasteless and odorless.
Georgia Water FAQs
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Data source: Utility data from EPA SDWIS. 565 active community water systems ingested. CCR contaminant data ingestion in progress.
Last updated: 2026-04-17