WaterVerge

Is Cusseta, 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 ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: GA0530002
Overall Score
81.5 / 100
Violations
10 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#157 of 378 in Georgia Top 47% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
81.5/100
waterverge.com
B+ 81.5/100

Cusseta, GA — Water Quality Report

Cusseta's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,956 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.6 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 22 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 Cusseta's water

Cusseta ranks #157 out of 378 cities in Georgia for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Cusseta 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, Cusseta may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
81.5 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
36.5/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.6 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
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 Cusseta, GA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Cusseta's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,956 residents using groundwater (wells).

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

Recent water quality updates for Cusseta

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Cusseta's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.5/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

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

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper 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.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.6 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Cusseta's water system has 22 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTOtherMRMON
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2022 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jan 2020 Combined Uranium Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Chattahoochee 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. Local water sources include Upatoi Creek.

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

Where does Cusseta's water come from?

Cusseta's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,956 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Upatoi Creek (river).

What Cusseta residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Cusseta'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
1.6 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 11% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

22
Total violations
0
Health-based
10
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

22 Total
10 Active
0 Health-based
12 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
7
Total Coliform Rule
5
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
3
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
2
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2015 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2012 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
Jan 2020 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2025
Jan 2020 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2025
Jan 2020 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2025
Apr 2019 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Apr 2019
Jul 2017 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2018
Jul 2017 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2018
Aug 2013 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2013
Feb 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 2010
May 2008 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2008
Jan 2000 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2000
Showing 20 of 22 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Chattahoochee 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
22.6%
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

5
Declared disasters
Oct 2018
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Chattahoochee 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.

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

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.6 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 increased by 1.6 ppb from 2003 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.6 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,956
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Cusseta's water comes from

Groundwater

Cusseta'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 2,956 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Cusseta

Cusseta is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Upatoi Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Cusseta

System Name PWSID Population Source
CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY GA0530002 2,956 GW
Regional Comparison

How Cusseta compares

Full Georgia rankings →

Cusseta's score of 81.5/100 is above the average of 64/100 among major Georgia cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

Cusseta (this city)
81.5
Atlanta
37.2
Buford
82.4
Marietta
82.2
Decatur
84.8
Alpharetta
41.4
Georgia avg
64
City Profile

About Cusseta, GA

Wikipedia →

Cusseta is a city in Chattahoochee County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area. The population was 9,565 in 2020. The city is the county seat of Chattahoochee County, with which it shares a consolidated city-county government. Despite this, Cusseta is not coterminous with the county; it remains a geographically distinct municipality within the county.

Economic Profile
$52,943
Median Income
$156,290
Median Home Value
$1,260/mo
Median Rent
8.4%
Unemployment
Community
23.9
Median Age
15
People / sq mi
30%
College Educated
31.2%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Cusseta, GA tap water safe to drink?

Cusseta's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #157 out of 378 cities tested in Georgia.

What contaminants are in Cusseta's water?

Lead was measured at 1.6 ppb (90th percentile). 22 violations are on record.

How is Cusseta'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 Cusseta?

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

Where does Cusseta's water come from?

Cusseta's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,956 residents.

Is Cusseta's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Cusseta 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 22 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 Cusseta's water compare to other cities?

Cusseta ranks #157 out of 378 cities in Georgia (better than 58% of state cities) and #7445 out of 15744 cities nationally (53th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Cusseta's small water system affect quality?

Cusseta's system serves approximately 2,956 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 22 violations on record.