WaterVerge

Is College Park, GA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B, with 10 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

20K residents served 1 water system PWSID: GA1210002
Overall Score
76 / 100
Violations
10 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#219 of 378 in Georgia Top 60% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
BGRADE
Water Quality Grade
76/100
waterverge.com
B 76/100

College Park, GA — Water Quality Report

College Park's drinking water received a grade of B (76 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 20,382 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 10 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about College Park's water

College Park ranks #219 out of 378 cities in Georgia for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.14 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.

The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
76 out of 100 Grade B
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
34.2/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17.8/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is College Park, GA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

College Park's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (76/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 20,382 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

10
Active Violations
1.2 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for College Park

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into College Park's water quality assessment. Grade: B (76/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule, Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE HELENE

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4830). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE IRMA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4338). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for College Park's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.2 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

College Park's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMRRPT
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Fulton County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 2004. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include South River, S.F. Peachtree Creek Johnson Rd,, Proctor Creek, Nickajack Creek, Utoy Creek.

HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-4830
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA DR-4338
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3387

Where does College Park's water come from?

College Park's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 20,382 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include South River (river), S.F. Peachtree Creek Johnson Rd, (river), Proctor Creek (river), Nickajack Creek (river), Utoy Creek (river).

What College Park residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in College Park's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

College Park's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.2 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 8% of limit
Safe Level
HAA5 (Disinfection Byproducts)
Disinfection Byproduct
Safe
21.4 µg/L
EPA MCL: 60 µg/L · 36% of limit
Within LimitUCMR 4 DataHAA6Br: 5.9 µg/LHAA9: 26.9 µg/L
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium)
Inorganic
Detected
0.14 µg/L
CA MCL (no federal MCL): 10 µg/L · 1% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Strontium
Inorganic
Detected
44.8 µg/L
EPA Health Ref Level: 1,500 µg/L · 3% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Manganese
Inorganic
Detected
5.8 µg/L
EPA Secondary MCL: 50 µg/L · 12% of limit
DetectedUCMR 4 Data
Vanadium
Inorganic
Detected
0.60 µg/L
EPA Short-term HA: 21 µg/L · 3% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Chlorate
Disinfection Byproduct
Detected
100.0 µg/L
EPA Lifetime HA: 210 µg/L · 48% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

10
Total violations
0
Health-based
10
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

10 Total
10 Active
0 Health-based
0 Resolved
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
6
Lead and Copper Rule
3
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
1
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2006 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 1997 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of College Park

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near College Park, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 5 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
METALPLATE GALVANIZING LP
Fabricated Metals · METALPLATE GALVANIZING LP
ATLANTA, GA30336
Zinc compounds58.7 mi
WILLIAM C. MEREDITH CO. INC.
Wood Products · NA
EAST POINT, GA30344
Polycyclic aromatic compounds03.7 mi
ARCH WOOD PROTECTION INC
Chemicals · HERENS US HOLDCO CORP
CONLEY, GA30288
8.1 mi
DARLING INGREDIENTS INC.
Food · DARLING INGREDIENTS INC
ELLENWOOD, GA30294
8.9 mi
CLOROX PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING CO
Chemicals · THE CLOROX CO
FOREST PARK, GA30297
4.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of College Park

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Fulton County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

13
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
22.3%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
13
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
Sep 2024
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Fulton County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 2004. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2024
HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA #4830
Sep 2017
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA #4338
Sep 2017
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA #3387
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3218
Sep 2004
HURRICANE IVAN
Hurricane FEMA #1554

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.2 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 1.9 ppb from 2000 (3.1 ppb) to 2025 (1.2 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how College Park compares by contaminant

Explore where College Park ranks among all Georgia cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
20,382
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where College Park's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

College Park's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 20,382 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near College Park

College Park is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

South River
river
S.F. Peachtree Creek Johnson Rd,
river
Proctor Creek
river
Nickajack Creek
river
Utoy Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving College Park

System Name PWSID Population Source
COLLEGE PARK GA1210002 20,382 SWP
Regional Comparison

How College Park compares

Full Georgia rankings →

College Park's score of 76/100 is above the average of 64/100 among major Georgia cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

College Park (this city)
76
Atlanta
37.2
Buford
82.4
Marietta
82.2
Decatur
84.8
Alpharetta
41.4
Georgia avg
64
City Profile

About College Park, GA

Economic Profile
$47,706
Median Income
$286,825
Median Home Value
$1,047/mo
Median Rent
13%
Unemployment
Community
32.2
Median Age
488
People / sq mi
28.3%
College Educated
23.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is College Park, GA tap water safe to drink?

College Park's water quality earned a grade of B (76/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #219 out of 378 cities tested in Georgia.

What contaminants are in College Park's water?

Lead was measured at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.

How is College Park's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in College Park?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does College Park's water come from?

College Park's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 20,382 residents.

How does College Park's water compare to other cities?

College Park ranks #219 out of 378 cities in Georgia (better than 42% of state cities) and #9405 out of 15744 cities nationally (40th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.