Atlanta Water Quality Summary
Atlanta supplies drinking water to about 1,089,893 people in Atlanta, Georgia, and draws from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), which requires fuller treatment for runoff, sediment, and microbial risk. On the IsWaterSafe scale it earns a failing Water Safety Score of 10 out of 100 (Grade F), a composite of its EPA SDWIS violation and contaminant record.
EPA records show 5 health-based violations for this system. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its legal EPA limit, the most serious category in the Safe Drinking Water Act. The system has 20 enforcement actions on file in response.
Among the 3 substances sampled, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) is the clearest concern: a reading of 0.062 mg/l against an EPA limit (MCL) of 60 ppb, about 103% of the legal ceiling, sampled July 2018. In total, 5 contaminant exceedances are recorded for this system.
The most recent documented episode is a health-based violation involving Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), beginning April 2019 and marked resolved July 2019.
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Detected Contaminants
| Contaminant | Detected Level | MCL (Limit) | Status | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes | 0.081 mg/l | 80 mg/l | Exceeds Limit | Oct 1, 2017 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 0.062 mg/l | 60 mg/l | Exceeds Limit | Jul 1, 2018 |
| Total Coliform (TCR) | 2.5 % positive | 5 % positive | Within Limit | Jul 1, 2024 |
Violation History
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta has a Water Safety Score of F (10/100). The system serves 1,089,893 people and has 5 health violations on record. Check the contaminant table above for specific detected substances.
Atlanta has 5 contaminant exceedances above EPA health guidelines. See the full contaminant detection table above for all tested substances and their levels relative to legal limits and health guidelines.
The Water Safety Score (0-100, grades A through F) is based on contaminant levels relative to legal limits, health guideline exceedances, violation history, and enforcement actions. Higher scores indicate fewer concerns.
If your water system has violations, request the Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, consider getting an independent water test from a certified lab, and look into certified water filters for specific contaminants of concern. For lead, run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking.
Water quality data sourced from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Safety scores are calculated based on contaminant levels, violations, and enforcement history. This is not a substitute for your utility's official Consumer Confidence Report.
Source: EPA Ground Water and Drinking Water, 2026.