Is Crawford, GA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 50 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
46/100
waterverge.com Crawford, GA — Water Quality Report
Crawford's drinking water received a grade of D (46 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,397 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 178 violations on record, including 44 health-based violations. 50 remain unresolved.
What to know about Crawford's water
Crawford ranks #340 out of 378 cities in Georgia for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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.
As a small community water system, Crawford may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 55 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Crawford, GA water safe to drink?
Crawford's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (46/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,397 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Crawford
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Crawford's water quality assessment. Grade: D (46/100).
Contaminants: E. COLI, Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: E. COLI, Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Arsenic, Chromium, Fluoride.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4830). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3406). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Crawford's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Crawford's water system has 178 total violations on record, including 44 health-based violations. 50 remain unresolved. 55 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Oglethorpe County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 2005. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Crawford's water come from?
Crawford's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 1,397 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Crawford residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Crawford's water.
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.
Crawford'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Crawford
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Crawford, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CRAWFORD PLANT CRAWFORD, GA30630 | — | — | 1.4 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtOglethorpe 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.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Oglethorpe County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Crawford compares by contaminant
Explore where Crawford ranks among all Georgia cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Crawford's water comes from
Crawford'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 1,397 people through 3 water systems.
Water systems serving Crawford
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRAWFORD | GA2210000 | 1,170 | SW |
| SMOKEY ROAD WATER SYSTEM | GA2210062 | 143 | GW |
| MEADOW LAKES SUBDIVISION | GA2210047 | 84 | GWP |
How Crawford compares
Full Georgia rankings →Crawford's score of 46/100 is below the average of 64/100 among major Georgia cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 6 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Georgia rankings →About Crawford, GA
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Crawford's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Oglethorpe
Frequently asked questions
Is Crawford, GA tap water safe to drink?
Crawford's water quality earned a grade of D (46/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #340 out of 378 cities tested in Georgia.
What contaminants are in Crawford's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 178 violations are on record.
How is Crawford'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 Crawford?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Crawford's water come from?
Crawford's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 1,397 residents.
What health violations has Crawford's water system had?
Crawford has 44 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 50 violations remain unresolved.
How does Crawford's water compare to other cities?
Crawford ranks #340 out of 378 cities in Georgia (better than 10% of state cities) and #14045 out of 15744 cities nationally (11th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.