Georgia Water Quality Report 2026

9 cities1,619,768 residentsUpdated March 2026

B78.7/100State Average
Georgia has 9 cities in our database, serving approximately 1,619,768 residents. The average PurityMap score is 78.7/100 (Grade: B), which is 0.8 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Savannah has the cleanest water (82/100) while Atlanta scores lowest (67/100) due to PFAS detected.
Is Georgia Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Safe — Filtration Recommended

Georgia tap water is safe — filtration recommended based on our analysis of 9 water systems serving 1,619,768 residents. The average PurityMap score is 78.7/100 (Grade: B), which is 0.8 points above the national average.

  • PFAS detected in 2 of 9 cities (22%). Forever chemicals require reverse osmosis filtration.
  • 9 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
Our Recommendation

We recommend an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking water in PFAS-affected areas of Georgia. RO removes 99%+ of PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. For hard water cities, add a whole-house softener.

All 9 cities in Georgia meet EPA federal drinking water standards as of 2026. However, EPA standards set legal limits — not health goals. Many contaminants are detected at levels that are legal but may still pose long-term health risks according to independent health organizations like the EWG.
Georgia at a Glance
78.7Avg Purity Score
1.9Avg Hardness (GPG)
Soft
2Cities with PFAS
0Cities with Hard Water
2.1Avg Lead (ppb)
67Avg TDS (ppm)

Georgia is 0.8 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 4.4 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG.

Best & Worst Water in Georgia
Cleanest

Savannah

82/100

Source: Savannah River

Most Concerns

Atlanta

67/100

PFAS detected

Cities with Most Water Concerns in Georgia

Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.

RankCityScoreHardnessLeadKey Issues
1Atlanta 67/1001.1 GPG2.2 ppbPFAS (2.3 ppt)
2Sandy Springs 67/1001.1 GPG2.2 ppbPFAS (2.3 ppt)
3Augusta 82/1002.5 GPG2.5 ppbLead 2.5 ppb
4Savannah 82/1002.0 GPG2.0 ppbLead 2.0 ppb
5Columbus 82/1001.8 GPG2.0 ppbLead 2.0 ppb
6Macon 82/1003.2 GPG2.5 ppbLead 2.5 ppb
7Athens 82/1001.5 GPG1.8 ppbScore: 82/100
8Roswell 82/1001.2 GPG2.0 ppbLead 2.0 ppb
9Warner Robins 82/1003.0 GPG2.0 ppbLead 2.0 ppb
Score Distribution

How Georgia's 9 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:

Excellent (85–100)
0 cities
Good (70–84)
7 cities
Moderate (60–69)
2 cities
Poor (below 60)
0 cities
Largest Cities in Georgia — Water Quality

Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.










CityPopulationScoreHardnessKey Issues
Atlanta500K 67/1001.1 GPGPFAS
Columbus203K 82/1001.8 GPG—
Augusta202K 82/1002.5 GPG—
Macon157K 82/1003.2 GPG—
Savannah148K 82/1002.0 GPG—
Athens127K 82/1001.5 GPG—
Sandy Springs108K 67/1001.1 GPGPFAS
Roswell94K 82/1001.2 GPG—
Warner Robins80K 82/1003.0 GPG—
Hard Water in Georgia

Georgia generally has soft to moderate water. Average: 1.9 GPG (Soft). Most residents do not need a softener.

PFAS in Georgia Water

PFAS have been detected in 2 of 9 cities (22%) in Georgia. Highest: Atlanta at 2.3 ppt. Affected: Atlanta, Sandy Springs. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.

PFAS Guide RO for PFAS
Lead in Georgia Water

All Georgia cities have lead below 5 ppb. Average: 2.1 ppb. Individual homes with older plumbing may have higher levels.

Water Sources in Georgia

Where Georgia gets its drinking water, based on 9 water systems.


Source TypeCities% of Total
Surface Water9100%
Recommended Filter for Georgia

2 cities have PFAS. Reverse osmosis is the most effective solution.

All Georgia Cities — Ranked
#CityPop.ScoreHardnessLeadPFASTDS
1Atlanta500K 67/1001.1 GPG (Soft)2.2 ppb⚠️ Yes (2.3 ppt)40 ppm
2Sandy Springs108K 67/1001.1 GPG (Soft)2.2 ppb⚠️ Yes (2.3 ppt)40 ppm
3Augusta202K 82/1002.5 GPG (Soft)2.5 ppb✅ No85 ppm
4Savannah148K 82/1002.0 GPG (Soft)2.0 ppb✅ No70 ppm
5Columbus203K 82/1001.8 GPG (Soft)2.0 ppb✅ No60 ppm
6Macon157K 82/1003.2 GPG (Soft)2.5 ppb✅ No110 ppm
7Athens127K 82/1001.5 GPG (Soft)1.8 ppb✅ No50 ppm
8Roswell94K 82/1001.2 GPG (Soft)2.0 ppb✅ No45 ppm
9Warner Robins80K 82/1003.0 GPG (Soft)2.0 ppb✅ No105 ppm
Water Utilities in Georgia

Georgia has 8 utilities. Major: City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, Savannah Water Resources, Augusta Utilities Department, Columbus Water Works, Macon Water Authority.

Sources: Chattahoochee River, Savannah River, Ocmulgee River, North Oconee River and Bear Creek Reservoir, Chattahoochee River via Atlanta Watershed.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has the best water in Georgia?
Savannah scores highest at 82/100. Source: Savannah River.
Which city has the worst water in Georgia?
Atlanta scores lowest at 67/100 due to PFAS detected.
Is Georgia water hard or soft?
Average hardness: 1.9 GPG (Soft). 4.4 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG. 0 of 9 cities have hard/very hard water.
Has PFAS been found in Georgia water?
PFAS have been detected in 2 of 9 cities (22%) in Georgia. Highest: Atlanta at 2.3 ppt. Affected: Atlanta, Sandy Springs. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.
What water filter should I use in Georgia?
2 cities have PFAS. Reverse osmosis is the most effective solution.
How does Georgia water compare to the US average?
Score: 78.7/100 (0.8 points above US avg 77.9). Hardness: 1.9 GPG (4.4 GPG below US avg 6.3).
Where does Georgia get its drinking water?Where does Georgia get its drinking water?
Georgia water comes from: Surface Water: 9 cities (100%).
Data Sources & Methodology
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
  • USGS regional water monitoring data

PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.

How we analyze water Data sources
All Georgia Cities with Water Reports

9 city water quality reports available for Georgia.

9 Reports
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Showing all 9 cities
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