Water Quality: Athens, GA
28 water systems • 128,924 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Athens is served by 28 public water systems with a combined service population of 128,924 people, and has 324 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 19 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Athens's violation count is 398% above the national average for Georgia. Contaminants associated with violations include Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Haloacetic Acids, Nitrate-Nitrite, TTHM.
Contaminants Found
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Linked to increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Causes methemoglobinemia in infants and may pose cancer risks with long-term exposure.
Common source: Fertilizer runoff, septic systems, animal feedlots, natural deposits
EPA limit: 10 mg/L (as nitrogen)
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Athens
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATHENS-CLARKE CO WATER SYSTEM | GA0590000 | Surface Water | 125,000 | 13 |
| HALLMARK MANUFACTURED HOUSING COMMUNITY | GA0590004 | Groundwater | 753 | 20 |
| PINEWOOD ESTATES NORTH | GA0590009 | Groundwater | 581 | 8 |
| COUNTRY CORNERS MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY | GA0590003 | Surface Water | 390 | 13 |
| MADISON ACRES SUBDIVISION | GA1950043 | Groundwater | 221 | 6 |
| CRESTMONT FARMS SUBDIVISION | GA0590071 | Surface Water | 170 | 11 |
| RAMBLE HILLS SUBDIVISION | GA0590020 | Groundwater | 157 | 10 |
| THE ESTATES AT HAWKS LANDING WS | GA2210060 | Groundwater | 157 | 3 |
| W & R FARMS MOBILE HOME PARK | GA1950052 | Groundwater | 130 | 3 |
| OAKWOOD SUBDIVISION | GA2210056 | Groundwater | 130 | 2 |
| FARM JUNCTION SUBDIVISION | GA2210055 | Groundwater | 122 | 1 |
| BEAVER DAM ESTATES M. H. P. | GA0590054 | Groundwater | 105 | 149 |
| WINTHORPE / PECAN RIDGE SUBDIVISION | GA2210053 | Groundwater | 103 | 3 |
| RIVERMIST SUBDIVISION | GA2970046 | Groundwater | 97 | 3 |
| NAILS CREEK CROSSING | GA1190052 | Groundwater | 89 | 3 |
| MOUNTAIN RIDGE SUBDIVISION | GA2970052 | Groundwater | 86 | 2 |
| MILL RUN MHP | GA2210054 | Groundwater | 78 | 5 |
| ARROW WOOD SUBDIVISION | GA2210057 | Groundwater | 73 | 2 |
| CREEKSIDE AT RIVERSTONE | GA2970057 | Groundwater | 73 | 0 |
| SUNSET BLUFF S/D | GA1330078 | Groundwater | 68 | 3 |
| CAMP LAKE CROSSING | GA2970054 | Groundwater | 54 | 2 |
| BEARDEN ESTATES | GA2970055 | Groundwater | 54 | 5 |
| RIVER OAKS SUBDIVISION | GA1910071 | Groundwater | 53 | 17 |
| SULFUR SPRINGS COMMUNITY PWS | GA2210052 | Groundwater | 51 | 6 |
| CHARCLAR SUBDIVISION | GA1570010 | Groundwater | 49 | 29 |
| MAPLE RIDGE SD | GA1950072 | Groundwater | 41 | 0 |
| DUNBAR CROSSING | GA2210063 | Groundwater | 39 | 5 |
| UPPER OCONEE BASIN WATER AUTH. | GA1570121 | Surface Water | 0 | 0 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Georgia
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.