WaterVerge

Is Colquitt, GA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 18 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: GA2010000
Overall Score
85.2 / 100
Violations
18 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#103 of 378 in Georgia Top 35% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
85.2/100
waterverge.com
A- 85.2/100

Colquitt, GA — Water Quality Report

Colquitt's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,998 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 2.4 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 37 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 18 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Colquitt's water

Colquitt ranks #103 out of 378 cities in Georgia for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Colquitt relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Colquitt may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
85.2 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
40.7/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 2.4 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
16.5/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Colquitt, GA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Colquitt's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,998 residents using groundwater (wells).

18
Active Violations
2.4 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Colquitt

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Colquitt's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (85.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE MICHAEL

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4400). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE MICHAEL

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3406). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.4 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Colquitt's water system has 37 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 18 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2021 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2016 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2016 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2014 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2012 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Miller County has experienced 6 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 Spring Creek Approx .25 Mi Us Us27 Nr Colquitt, Spring Creek.

HURRICANE MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA DR-4400
HURRICANE MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA DR-3406
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA DR-4338

Where does Colquitt's water come from?

Colquitt's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,998 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Spring Creek Approx .25 Mi Us Us27 Nr Colquitt (river), Spring Creek (river).

What Colquitt residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Colquitt'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
2.4 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 16% of limit
Safe Level
HAA5 (Disinfection Byproducts)
Disinfection Byproduct
Safe
0.0 µg/L
EPA MCL: 60 µg/L · 0% of limit
Within LimitUCMR 4 DataHAA6Br: 0.0 µg/LHAA9: 0.0 µg/L
Manganese
Inorganic
Detected
11.0 µg/L
EPA Secondary MCL: 50 µg/L · 22% of limit
DetectedUCMR 4 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

37
Total violations
3
Health-based
18
Active / unresolved
Jul 2021
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

37 Total
18 Active
3 Health-based
19 Resolved
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
13
Total Coliform Rule
9
Nitrate Rule
9
Lead and Copper Rule
5
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2016 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2014 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2012 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2009 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2008 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2003 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2000 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2000 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Feb 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 2012
Jan 2011 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2011
Showing 20 of 37 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D4 — exceptional drought

Miller County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 100.0% of the county is in D4 (exceptional) drought. Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
22.0%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

6
Declared disasters
Oct 2018
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Miller County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 2004. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Oct 2018
HURRICANE MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA #4400
Oct 2018
HURRICANE MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA #3406
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) 2.4 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 2.7 ppb from 2002 (5.1 ppb) to 2023 (2.4 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,998
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Colquitt's water comes from

Groundwater

Colquitt's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,998 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Colquitt

Colquitt is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Spring Creek Approx .25 Mi Us Us27 Nr Colquitt
river
Spring Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Colquitt

System Name PWSID Population Source
COLQUITT GA2010000 1,998 GW
Regional Comparison

How Colquitt compares

Full Georgia rankings →

Colquitt's score of 85.2/100 is above the average of 64/100 among major Georgia cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Colquitt (this city)
85.2
Atlanta
37.2
Buford
82.4
Marietta
82.2
Decatur
84.8
Alpharetta
41.4
Georgia avg
64
City Profile

About Colquitt, GA

Wikipedia →

Colquitt is a city and the county seat of Miller County, in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 2,001 at the 2020 census. Colquitt has been the county seat of Miller County since Miller County was incorporated by the Georgia Legislature in 1856. The city formally incorporated on December 19, 1860, and is Miller County's only incorporated municipality. Colquitt is named for U.S. Congressman and Senator Walter Terry Colquitt.

Economic Profile
$26,125
Median Income
$98,546
Median Home Value
$638/mo
Median Rent
9%
Unemployment
Community
42.5
Median Age
100
People / sq mi
17.2%
College Educated
43.8%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Colquitt, GA tap water safe to drink?

Colquitt's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #103 out of 378 cities tested in Georgia.

What contaminants are in Colquitt's water?

Lead was measured at 2.4 ppb (90th percentile). 37 violations are on record.

How is Colquitt'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 Colquitt?

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

Where does Colquitt's water come from?

Colquitt's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,998 residents.

What health violations has Colquitt's water system had?

Colquitt has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 18 violations remain unresolved.

Is Colquitt's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Colquitt uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 37 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Colquitt's water compare to other cities?

Colquitt ranks #103 out of 378 cities in Georgia (better than 73% of state cities) and #5460 out of 15744 cities nationally (65th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Colquitt's small water system affect quality?

Colquitt's system serves approximately 1,998 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 37 violations on record.