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Is Albany Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, August 9, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Albany?

Yes, Albany's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Albany 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, the city's water provider website, or Albany's local Twitter account.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Albany's water utility, Albany, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Albany was resolved on Dec. 31, 2019. This assessment is based on the Albany 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 Albany Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Albany 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 Albany's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Albany Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Albany for Albany in Georgia. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

For the compliance period beginning July 1, 2015, Albany 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, 2014, Albany 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.

From Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2019, Albany had 3 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Regular which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Radionuclides rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Combined Uranium, Combined Radium (-226 and -228).

For the compliance period beginning July 1, 2013, Albany 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.

From July 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2012, Albany had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation 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 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: CARBON, TOTAL.

For the compliance period beginning July 1, 2012, Albany 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 Albany Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Albany water system, Albany, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0032 mg/L of lead in Albany water. This is 21.3% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Albany contained more lead.

While Albany water testing may have found 0.0032 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 Albany 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 - ALBANY GA MCLB - near Albany 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 Albany 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.

Albany 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
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)
07/01/2014 - 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)
01/01/2014 - 12/31/2019 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
01/01/2014 - 12/31/2019 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Radionuclides (340) Combined Uranium (4006) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
01/01/2014 - 12/31/2019 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Radionuclides (340) Combined Radium (-226 and -228) (4010) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
07/01/2013 - 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)
07/01/2012 - 09/30/2012 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (210) CARBON, TOTAL (2920) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (210)
07/01/2012 - 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

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
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Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
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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.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
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Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
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Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Albany Water - Frequently Asked Questions

HOW TO READ THIS TABLE
The table shows the results of our water-quality analysis. Every regulated contaminant that was detected in our water, even in the most minute traces, is listed.The table contains the name of each substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), the ideal goals for public health, the amount detected, the usual sources of such contamination, footnotes explaining our findings, and a key to units of measurement. Definitions of MCL and MCLG are important.
HOW DO I CONTACT ALBANY CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Albany water provider, Albany, please use the information below.
By Phone: 229-883-8330
By Email: jnorman@albanyga.gov
By Mail: P.O. BOX 1788
ALBANY, GA, 31702
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR ALBANY
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Albany account to pay their Albany water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Albany 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 Albany water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Albany 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.

HOW TO START & STOP ALBANY WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Albany means you will often need to put the water in your name with Albany. 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.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Albany means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Albany. 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.

Stop Service Form

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Albany tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 26% Low
  • Water Pollution 41% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 74% High
  • Water Quality 60% High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Albany, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Albany Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Albany's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally- occurring minerals and radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

A Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

B Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

C Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, storm water runoff, and residential uses.

D Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas states, urban storm water runoff and septic systems.

  1. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in the water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Albany Utilities is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may choose to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www. epa.gov/safewater/lead.

NATIONAL PRIMARY

DRINKING WATER

REGULATIONS COMPLIANCE

Other Monitoring

In addition to testing we are required to perform, our water system voluntarily tests for hundreds of additional substances and microscopic organisms to make certain our water is safe and of high quality. Water is our most precious natural resource. Together we can preserve the quality of our water supply. If you notice a change in the look, smell or taste of your drinking water, please contact Albany Utilities. If you are interested in more information on the Quality Report, contact Kurt Anthony, at (229) 883-8330, ext. 4818.

Water Quality data for community water systems throughout the U.S. is available at www.waterdata.com or www.albanyutil.org.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than is the general population. Immuno compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, persons with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers, EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

OTHER HELPFUL WAYS ALBANY

UTILITIES ASSISTS YOU

Energy Conservation Program

This program provides free home energy audits for our residential customers. Certified auditors complete a full inspection of the home checking for inefficiencies like leaking doors and below recommended insulation. For

additional information and to schedule a home audit, please call (229) 883-8330 (prompt 4).

H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Pay for Energy/Essentials)

The program was developed in 1993 to assist Albany Utilities customers who could not pay their utility bills due to unforeseen circumstances. For more information

on how to qualify and/or make a donation, please call (229) 883-1365.

BASED ON 2017 DATA

www.albanyga.gov

9114-AWR 3929649

Albany Utilities Commission System ID #0950000 Albany/ Dougherty County

2020 Water-Quality Report

Albany Utilities is proud of the drinking water it provides. This annual water quality report shows the source of our water, lists the results of our tests, and contains much more important information about water and health. Albany Utilities will notify you immediately if there is any reason for concern about your water. We are happy to show you how we have surpassed water quality standards.

Overview: Water Source

The Albany Water System draws its water from four different aquifers. They are the Floridan, Claiborne, Clayton, and the upper Cretaceous. We use 38 wells located throughout the City and County to supply an average of 12 million gallons of water a day to our customers. The Albany Water Treatment Plant continues daily to assist with our water production. This assures Albany an adequate supply for the future. A Source Water Assessment has been performed for our area to provide baseline data about the quality of water before it is treated and distributed to our customers. This is important because it identifies the origins of contaminants within our area and indicates the susceptibility of our water to such contaminants. To complete your understanding of our water supply, request a copy of this information from The Georgia Environmental Protection Division or visit website: http://www.gaepd.org/.

How to Read This Table

The table shows the results of our water-quality analysis. Every regulated contaminant that was detected in our water, even in the most minute traces, is listed.The table contains the name of each substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), the ideal goals for public health, the amount detected, the usual sources of such contamination, footnotes explaining our findings, and a key to units of measurement. Definitions of MCL and MCLG are important.

2019 Albany Water System - Testing Results:

 

 

 

 

Highest

 

 

 

Contaminant

Unit

MCL

MCLG

Detected

Range

Major Sources

Violations

 

 

 

 

Level

 

 

 

Lead

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion of household

 

ppb

AL=15

0

4.5

0-4.5

plumbing system; erosion of

NO

9oth Percentile Level

2.5ppb

 

 

 

 

 

natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion of household plumbing

 

ppm

AL=1.3

1.3

.140

0-.140

system; erosion of natural deposits;

NO

9oth Percentile Level

leaching from wood preseratives

.120pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTHM

 

 

 

17.8

 

By-product of organics in

 

ppb

80

0

0-17.8

drinking water and the

NO

(Total Trihalomethanes)

 

 

 

 

 

chlorine disinfectant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAA5

ppb

60

0

4.6

0-4.6

By-product of drinking

NO

(Haloacetic Acids)

water chlorination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019 Albany Water System - Chlorine

 

Annual Average

Residual Range

 

 

 

Chlorine

1.13

0.02-2.32

Fluoride

0.78

0.68-0.85

 

 

 

"Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause Blue Baby Syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. Ifyou are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider."

Key to Table: AL: Action Level

MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level

MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

ppm: parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/I)

ppb: parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/1)

TT: Treatment Technique

Definitions

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL):

"The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL's are set as close to the MCLG's as feasible, using the best available treatment technology."

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG):

"The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG's allow for a margin of safety."

Treatment Technique

"A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water."

Additional Health Information

The Water Treatment Plant tested for and has not detected Crvptosporidium. To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes limits on the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations established limits for contaminants in bottled water. Drinking water, including bottled water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.

Contaminants


Albany

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: 87029
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Purchased groundwater under influence of surface water
  • Total: 14

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Nitrate and nitrite
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • 1%2C1-Dichloroethylene
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Molybdenum
  • Strontium
  • Trichloroacetic acid
  • Vanadium

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

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