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Is Atlanta Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 25, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Atlanta?

Yes, Atlanta's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Atlanta 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 Atlanta's local Twitter account.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Atlanta's water utility, Atlanta, 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 Atlanta was resolved on June 30, 2019. This assessment is based on the Atlanta 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 Atlanta Tap Water

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

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

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

From April 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019, Atlanta had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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 code: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

From Jan. 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, Atlanta had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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 code: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

From Oct. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2018, Atlanta had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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 code: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

From July 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2018, Atlanta had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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 code: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

From Oct. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2017, Atlanta had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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 code: TTHM.

For the compliance period beginning July 1, 2015, Atlanta 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 March 31, 2014, Atlanta had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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 code: TTHM.

From April 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013, Atlanta had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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 code: TTHM.

Is there Lead in Atlanta Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Atlanta water system, Atlanta, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0024 mg/L of lead in Atlanta water. This is 16.0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Atlanta contained more lead.

While Atlanta water testing may have found 0.0024 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 Atlanta 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 - Fort McPherson - near Atlanta 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 Atlanta 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.

Atlanta 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
04/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) 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)
01/01/2019 - 03/31/2019 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) 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)
10/01/2018 - 12/31/2018 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) 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)
07/01/2018 - 09/30/2018 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) 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)
10/01/2017 - 12/31/2017 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
07/01/2015 - 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)
01/01/2014 - 03/31/2014 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
04/01/2013 - 06/30/2013 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)

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

What do people in Atlanta think about the tap water?

The city of Atlanta’s drinking water is safe and its water-treatment plants comply with standards mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Atlanta Water - Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I CONTACT ATLANTA CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Atlanta water provider, Atlanta, please use the information below.
By Phone: 770-865-2240
By Email: qfletcher@atlantaga.gov
By Mail: 650 17th Street
ATLANTA, GA, 30318
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR ATLANTA
Already have an account?

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

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Atlanta 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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta 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 ATLANTA WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Atlanta means you will often need to put the water in your name with Atlanta. 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 Atlanta means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Atlanta. 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

Is Atlanta Tap Water Safe to Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.59 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Atlanta tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 34% Low
  • Water Pollution 48% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 66% High
  • Water Quality 52% Moderate

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

Related FAQS

Contaminants


Atlanta

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: 650000
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Surface water
  • Total: 14

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Nitrate and nitrite
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
  • Trichloroacetic acid

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Chlorate
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Monochloroacetic acid
  • Strontium
  • 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

Atlanta Tap Water

In Atlanta, Georgia, some residents are concerned that their drinking water is contaminated with prescription drugs. They are also worried about the effect these drugs could have on their health. The worry has led to a great deal of curiosity in as to exactly what is in tap water in Atlanta. So far, however, there has been no confirmation of such worries being true, but it is always best to be cautious when dealing with anything concerning your health.

Is the tap water in the city safe to drink?

These worries are not entirely unwarranted. Atlanta was one of the major industrial areas hit hard by the recent economic problems. In fact, the area has suffered from a long-term decline in industrial jobs and commerce. Atlanta’s drinking water has become a target for many residents because they feel it is unsafe for their health. They are concerned that traces of drugs and other contaminants may be in the water supply.

However, Atlanta’s water treatment plant does a thorough job of cleaning up the water that it supplies. The water is treated at over 400 separate treatment facilities throughout the city. If there were traces of drugs found, the water would be removed at one of those facilities. After the water is cleaned, it is sent to one of the distribution points, where it is distributed to homes and businesses.

Atlanta Drinking Water

Atlanta’s drinking water by far is of concern. People have grown weary of chlorination and have come to rely on other means for ensuring the purity of their drinking water. Thanks to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s efforts, Atlanta residents no longer have to take a sip of pure spring water to be assured that they are consuming safe, healthy water. Thanks to the division’s hard work, Atlanta residents can breathe easily knowing that the water coming from their taps is safe enough to drink.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has been at the forefront of ensuring that Americans have clean water to drink. They monitor the quality of water through a system known as the Quality Assurance Program. This program requires municipal water suppliers to submit proof of water quality quarterly. Submitted reports show the percentage of harmful chemicals that have been found, and the steps taken to reduce the amount of those toxins. Those who are served by an Atlanta water provider are warned not to take for granted the quality of water that is being delivered to their homes.

If you are concerned about the quality of the water that is coming out of your tap, or your family’s health, you should consider taking the step of making a filter attached to your faucet. With such filters in place, you can enjoy delicious-tasting water from your own kitchen faucet. Not only will this provide your home with purified water, but you will also save money on bottled water and the environmental impact of shipping untreated wastewater across the country. You’ll be glad you took advantage of the savings when you get a free, no-obligation water analysis.

Atlanta Water

Atlanta water has long been among the most affordable and lowest priced in the country. The reason for this is obvious, Atlanta’s rivers and water sources are a natural treasure to be enjoyed by any and everyone who crosses its bounds. Atlanta’s bounty of water makes it a haven for fishing enthusiasts, offers recreational opportunities for all ages, and is the home of some of the finest distilleries in the nation.

How much do you pay for your water bill? Unfortunately, the average American water bill doesn’t do much to alleviate our ongoing water crisis. What is needed is a comprehensive plan that will help offset the cost of future water consumption. As the water table continues to dwindle, we can expect a serious increase in the price of water. If you are concerned about how much you’re paying, contact your Atlanta water provider now.

You may be shocked when you realize just how much your Atlanta water bill actually is. Once you have done your homework, however, it will be easier to find the most affordable and cost-effective solution. One such step is to visit Atlanta’s premier water provider. Atlanta residents have the opportunity to visit the Georgia Aquarium, Hartsfield Jackson hospital, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and the National Zoo. If you don’t think these destinations are exciting enough, you can always stick to Atlanta’s classic attractions like historic Downtown Atlanta and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Atlanta Water Safety

Atlanta water safety testing can be found in a number of different places. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources should be called first if one is worried about lead in drinking water since they are the ones that regulate the amounts of lead that are released from old industrial sites. If lead is found, they will remove it or put it under a permit. For more information on finding out if there is lead in drinking water, be sure to contact your doctor, dentist, and the Georgia Department of Health and Human Services. They will all be able to give you advice about who to call for testing.

Many homes in Atlanta have wells, which can pose serious risks to children, the elderly, and those with certain medical conditions, so it is important for at least one home in Atlanta to undergo water safety testing. Those who are concerned about the quality of their supply, though, may wish to test their own water instead. There are many companies that can test the quality of water in your area and recommend the best type of filtration system for your home.

While many of us don’t think twice about our showering in unfiltered water, we do have a lot more to worry about when it comes to our water consumption. With a variety of pesticides, pollution, and waste products entering the city’s water sources, it is no wonder that there is so much danger involved when it comes to drinking city water. Don’t take any chances with your health, so be sure to have your water safety testing done as soon as possible. If you suspect that you might have problems, it’s time to find the right filtration system and make sure that it gives you healthy water to cook with and drink.

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