Atlanta, GA Water Quality Report
Is Atlanta tap water safe? See PFAS and lead contamination levels for Atlanta, Georgia. Compare to EPA limits and get filter recommendations.
Quick Answers
Is Atlanta tap water safe to drink? Atlanta tap water meets most federal EPA limits, but PFAS compounds have been detected at an average of 0 ppt across 4 compounds. A certified pitcher filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended for sensitive populations.
What contaminants are in Atlanta water? Top PFAS compounds detected in Atlanta water: PFBA (0.01 ppt), PFHxA (0 ppt), PFPeA (0 ppt). See the full table for all monitored contaminants and comparison to EPA limits.
What filter should I use in Atlanta? Reverse osmosis removes 90%+ of PFAS, lead, and arsenic. NSF-53 certified pitcher and faucet filters (ZeroWater, Clearly Filtered, LifeStraw) work for smaller households. Skip standard Brita filters for PFAS removal.
Atlanta Water Quality Summary
EPA testing has detected PFAS "forever chemicals" in Atlanta drinking water. Recent monitoring found a peak level of 0.01 ppt across 1 water system, representing an average of 0 ppt across 4 detected compounds.
Contamination Level: LOW – Low contamination – PFAS detected but at lower levels; monitoring continues.
Top Detected Compounds
- PFBA: 0.01 ppt
- PFHxA: 0 ppt
- PFPeA: 0 ppt
- PFBS: 0 ppt
Lead in Atlanta Water
EPA Lead and Copper Rule testing has recorded 44 lead samples for Atlanta water systems, with a 90th-percentile high of 0.0885 mg/L (above the EPA 0.015 mg/L action level). There is no safe level of lead for children; if your home was built before 1986, a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead-removal filter is recommended.
EPA Violations in Atlanta
Atlanta public water systems have 6 health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record, including Surface Water Treatment Rule, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs). Health-based violations mean a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
About the Data
These figures come from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5) testing program, 2023-2025. UCMR5 is the most comprehensive national drinking water survey in US history, covering 66,000+ public water systems. Population of Atlanta: approximately 498,715.
ZIP Codes Served
Compare Atlanta to Other Cities
Side-by-side PFAS contamination comparisons with same-state, regional, and national peers.
What Atlanta Residents Should Do
- Enter your exact ZIP code at knowyourexposure.com for address-level data
- Install an NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis filter (removes 94-99% of PFAS)
- If you're in a high-exposure group (pregnant, young children), consider a PFAS home test kit
- Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) annually