Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in Savannah?
Yes, Savannah's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Savannah has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Savannah's water utility, Savannah-Main, had 4 non-health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Savannah-Main water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Water Quality Report for Savannah Tap Water
The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Savannah tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.
Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.
EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.
We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Savannah's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.
Savannah Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Savannah-Main for Savannah in Georgia. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
From Oct. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020, Savannah had 2 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant codes: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
From July 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2020, Savannah had 2 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant codes: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
For the compliance period beginning July 1, 2017, Savannah had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Other Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to Report which falls into the Other rule code group, and the Consumer Confidence Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Consumer Confidence Rule.
For the compliance period beginning July 1, 2015, Savannah had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Other Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to Report which falls into the Other rule code group, and the Consumer Confidence Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Is there Lead in Savannah Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Savannah water system, Savannah-Main, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0023 mg/L of lead in Savannah water. This is 15.3% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Savannah contained more lead.
While Savannah water testing may have found 0.0023 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Savannah Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Hunter AAF - AASF Hangar 805 - near Savannah with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Savannah has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
Savannah SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years
| Compliance Period | Status | Health-Based? | Category Code | Code | Rule Code | Contaminant Code | Rule Group Code | Rule Family Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/01/2020 - 12/31/2020 | Archived | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) | TTHM (2950) | Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) |
| 10/01/2020 - 12/31/2020 | Archived | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) | Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) |
| 07/01/2020 - 09/30/2020 | Archived | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) | TTHM (2950) | Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) |
| 07/01/2020 - 09/30/2020 | Archived | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) | Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) |
| 07/01/2017 - | Resolved | No | Other Violation (Other) | Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to Report (71) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) | Consumer Confidence Rule (7000) | Other (400) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) |
| 07/01/2015 - | Resolved | No | Other Violation (Other) | Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to Report (71) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) | Consumer Confidence Rule (7000) | Other (400) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) |
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
| Status |
Current status of the violation.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
| Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
| Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
What do people in Savannah think about the tap water?
While it’s perfectly safe to drink, unfiltered tap water in Savannah doesn’t have the most pleasant taste.
Savannah Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Phone: | 912-964-0698 |
| By Email: | bshaw@savannahga.gov |
| By Mail: | P.O. BOX 4038 PORT WENTWORTH, GA, 31407 |
Existing customers can login to their Savannah-Main account to pay their Savannah water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your Savannah-Main bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Savannah water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Savannah water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Savannah means you will often need to put the water in your name with Savannah-Main. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Savannah means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Savannah-Main. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
The estimated price of bottled water
$1.83 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Savannah, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Contaminants
Savannah - Main
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility details
- Serves: 168958
- Data available: 2012-2017
- Data Source: Groundwater
- Total: 14
Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines
- Bromodichloromethane
- Chloroform
- Dibromochloromethane
- Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Other Detected Contaminants
- Aluminum
- Bromoform
- Dibromoacetic acid
- Dichloroacetic acid
- Fluoride
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
- Molybdenum
- Strontium
- Trichloroacetic acid
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.
Sources and Resources
Sources Cited
Additional Resources
Savannah Tap Water
Do you have tap water in Savannah, Georgia? The Georgia Department of Health is investigating the quality of the supply for possible dangerous contaminants. The tap water at the Treatment Plant can be terrible, containing such harmful ingredients as nitrates and lead that could be detrimental to your health. If you have a filter, you may want to replace the old one with a better quality model. There are many brands available, including Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL), National Health and Safety Society (NHS), and Southern Association of Certified Public Accountants (SACPA).
You should remove the soap and rinse the filter several times until the sediment is removed. This sediment builds up inside the filter, where it blocks the flow of water through the unit. When this happens, the shower or bath becomes less effective, produces a musty odor, clogs the pores on your skin and hair, causes water spots, and has other adverse effects on your health. You may also experience bad tastes in your mouth when you drink tap water in Savannah, Georgia, that you usually wouldn’t.
Suppose you suspect that your tap water contains any contaminants. In that case, you should take action quickly to protect your health and the health of everyone in your home. Your tap water should not be treated in the same manner as city water. Contact a professional water purification company in Savannah, Georgia, to have your water tested for free and ensure that your family is protected. Atlanta is serviced by several water treatment plants, including one facility that serves all of the city. If a public treatment facility services you, inquire about the water quality at your facility and whether they use antibacterial measures.
Savannah Drinking Water
Savannah, Georgia drinking water stations are the subject of a recent Environmental Working Group report, which has questions about the safety of the treatment facilities serving Savannah, Georgia. The information looked at six drinking water stations in the area, and the following findings: “Savannah drinking water stations lack federal health-monitoring programs; five have no monitoring programs at all; two (asterisk) have one-page sampling forms that are difficult to fill out, and one (stone) has no sample collection equipment.” This report goes on to state that” Augusta is woefully inadequate in protecting its residents’ health” and that” Augusta officials profess they are working on improving conditions. Still, so far, it seems to be a moving target.” There has been much criticism of how the Augusta water treatment facility is managed by the Georgia Department of Environment and Tourism.
There are currently no drinking water stations in the city of Savannah, Georgia. The closest one is at the University of South Georgia, about 30 miles from the capital. This means that for the average resident of Savannah, their tap water never leaves the city limits. There is no way for them to have the quality of drinking water they would enjoy at a popular drinking water station outside of the city. This is especially true in light of the recent news about the prescription drug traces found in some of the drinking water at the University of Georgia. This is a clear example of why people living outside the city need to make sure that their drinking water stations are equipped to handle the volume of contaminants that are continually pumped into the city’s supply.
Drinking water stations are essential in the rural environment, which is what the Georgia Department of Environment and Tourism claims they are; however, people living in the city need to make sure that their drinking water is safe, even if they live thousands of miles from the nearest drinking water station. People living outside of Atlanta must take responsibility for their families’ health and make sure that they regularly check their water stations to make sure that they are properly serving their needs. The best way to do this is to ensure that you are purchasing one of the many drinking water stations sold by the Georgia Department of Environment and Tourism.
Savannah Water Utility
The Atlanta Georgia water utility has provided outstanding service to its Savannah, Georgia customers for more than twenty years. When deciding where you will call to obtain the best rates, it is essential to understand what their customer service records say about their reliability and quality of service. What do other customers have to say about their Savannah, Georgia, water utility? It is time you learned!
Savannah, Georgia water utility maintains the most prominent water transmission lines in the state. This service extends throughout Metro Atlanta, providing clean, clear, and affordable water to all of its customers. What are the benefits of using this service? For one thing, Savannah Georgia water utility never rejects a customer’s application for water, which means that you are never turned down due to lack of service. Furthermore, the city of Savannah, Georgia, has some of the most stringent regulations in the country regarding water conservation, so you can be sure your water is cleaner and more effective than ever before.
In addition to excellent service, the Atlanta water utility also does an excellent job of following all of the required guidelines and ordinances about keeping our water clean and safe. They have an extensive program that provides for removing any garden beds and other debris that may be blocking the water lines. They are also responsible for regularly testing the water for its clarity and purity. Savannah Georgia water utility not only offers its customers low rates but high-quality service as well. Now that you know a little more about the history and stability of this great company, it is time to learn about the many options you have available to you. Contact your local Savannah, Georgia water utility today and discover how much they can help you.
Savannah Water Supply
In June of 2021, Savannah, Georgia, enacted an emergency drinking water quality bill to protect the people of Savannah, Georgia, from having contaminated tap water. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division, a division of the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment Protection, estimates that about nine percent of Savannah, Georgia, is directly connected to the Savannah, Georgia water supply. Unfortunately, the high number of directly connected people to the supply makes it extremely difficult for the treatment facilities to remove the contaminants present. This problem has been blamed on the reluctance of most municipalities to install effective treatment technologies.
Suppose you live in Savannah, Georgia, and use tap water to take care of your family’s needs. In that case, you should act now to protect yourself and your family’s health. Contact your local water utility company and make your water supply safe by requesting a sample of your water. They will be able to provide you with the information you need to ask for the testing. In most cases, this process takes less than fifteen minutes.
The department of health and Human Services in Georgia also encourages residents to get their water testing kits. The reason being is that when a person returns from an extended vacation, they usually have nowhere else to turn. Testing their water supply will ensure that they drink safe water, especially if they intend to go home and use it for cooking, drinking, or other purposes. It’s far better to err on the side of safety than to allow a potentially life-threatening situation to occur.
Water in Savannah
Savannah, Georgia, is a popular tourist destination for those coming to witness the fall foliage and enjoy world-famous music festivals. However, if you are looking for a water purification system to treat your water before drinking it this year, you may have some challenges. Savannah, Georgia, has over six miles of rivers, and many of the rivers have algae and other bacteria in them. You should also be aware that this same bacteria can cause severe illnesses and diseases. As a result, you will want to filter all of the water you drink, bathe in, and make sure that any food you eat is cooked properly to kill any germs. There are many water purification systems available in the marketplace today. Still, it may be best to go with a whole house filter.
This type of water purification system filters all of the water you drink, cook with and wash your car. If you have a whole home water filter, you will not have to worry about where the water goes after using it. It goes right into the filter, where it is filtered and cleaned. Your filters should be changed monthly, or if you live on a lake or other body of water that is frequently used, you should have your filters changed every week. Using a whole home water purification system is considered one of the best ways to filter and clean water in the home.
Many cities and homes do not have water purification systems in them, but this is something that you should look into when you are drinking or cooking with tap water. It may also be necessary for you to invest in a filter for your shower head and faucets in the kitchen sink if you are concerned about what is in the water you are using to make these things happen. Many people use a whole home water purification system as their primary water source. They do not worry about getting contaminants into their bodies. Suppose you do not have a water purification system in your home. In that case, you should consider purchasing one as soon as possible to be protected from the many dangers you can contact when you are drinking or cooking with unfiltered water.
Savannah Water Contaminants
Do you know what the significant Savannah, Georgia water contaminants are? If you do not, then you are definitely in for a surprise when you visit Savannah. Savannah, Georgia, is an upscale Southern city located along the shores of Lake Lanier. This lake was one of the major tributaries of the Mississippi River until sometime around 1800. The Savannah River served as one of how early settlers could bring fresh water to what would become the largest city in the South.
As you can imagine, you have many different types of pollutants in the water that flows through this lake. There are chemical contaminants, such as chlorine, sulfates, lead, and a host of others. These chemicals act like poison to creatures living in the lake, birds, insects, and even people. Savannah has had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars combating this problem. It continues to be a problem today.
Savannah, Georgia, water contamination should be a big concern to all residents of the area. If you want to have peace of mind that your drinking water is safe and pure, then you need to make sure that you have the correct type of filtration system in your home. Many great companies out there will allow you to choose from various filters designed to reduce the number of different kinds of contaminants in your water. When you have this type of equipment in your home, you have peace of mind knowing that you and your family are protected.
Savannah Water Quality
Suppose you consider purchasing or investing in a home in Savannah, Georgia. In that case, you must realize that your home is at risk for poor water quality. Savannah is served by the Consolidated Sewerage and Drainage System (CSDS) and is one of the twenty-water systems statewide required to have its water regularly tested for contamination. Unfortunately, since the system is such an extensive distribution system, it often finds itself in difficult situations where it must prioritize pipes that carry the city’s water supply over other sources of contamination. As a result, the result can be higher than desired water quality and sometimes even harmful chemicals or pollutants.
One of the most common contaminants found in untreated tap water is E Coli. This bacterium can cause severe illnesses like diarrhea and food poisoning. If you have children, you should also know that these same microbes can lead to skin and eye irritation and other health problems. Additionally, they can make their way into the water supply through any cuts or nooks and crannies, including faucets and toilets, which means that you have to constantly think about how you clean and protect your home from possible contaminants.
Savannah, Georgia water quality standards are established to protect the public’s health and are constantly monitored. The US Environmental Protection Agency sets the standard for water quality across the country. Still, since many cities and counties are required to adhere to various guidelines, their testing methods vary. While some use only chemical agents in their testing, others employ several different techniques, such as temperature, turbidity, pH levels, and more, to determine the purity of the city’s water. The most stringent guidelines will be the ones required by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Using a water analysis service, you can ensure that your water is of good quality and safe for consumption by you and your family.