01The verdict: is Green Cove Springs water safe?
Green Cove Springs's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.9/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,310 residents using groundwater (wells).
2 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Top half in Georgia
Green Cove Springs ranks #32 of 372 graded Georgia cities.
See the comparison ↓A flood-prone service area
5 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Green Cove Springs's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,310 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 6.9 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 12 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Green Cove Springs ranks #32 out of 372 cities in Georgia for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state. Green Cove Springs 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Green Cove Springs may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Green Cove Springs's water
Every contaminant flagged in Green Cove Springs, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 6.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Georgia
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Georgia
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Green Cove Springs's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 12 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Green Cove Springs.
▼ Down 0.10 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 6.9 ppb (2023) — 46% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Green Cove Springs's water comes from
Green Cove Springs's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under private ownership.
1,310 people
Residents served across Green Cove Springs's service area.
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 private ownership and serves approximately 1,310 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST. JOHNS LANDING APARTMENTS | FL2100709 | 1,310 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Green Cove Springs
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Green Cove Springs's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
5 federal disaster declarations on record for Fulton County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Green Cove Springs compares
Scores for nearby Georgia cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Georgia average (61/100)
Green Cove Springs scores 89.9/100 — above the Georgia average of 61/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Georgia rankings →
37.2 / 100BMarietta, GA
82.2 / 100BDecatur, GA
84.8 / 100FAlpharetta, GA
41.4 / 100BMorrow, GA
83.6 / 100BCanton, GA
75.6 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Green Cove Springs's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 6.9 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Green Cove Springs alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Green Cove Springs, GA tap water safe to drink?
Green Cove Springs's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #32 out of 372 cities tested in Georgia.
What contaminants are in Green Cove Springs's water?
Lead was measured at 6.9 ppb (90th percentile). 12 violations are on record.
How is Green Cove Springs'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 Green Cove Springs?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Green Cove Springs's water come from?
Green Cove Springs's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,310 residents.
What health violations has Green Cove Springs's water system had?
Green Cove Springs has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2010. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
Is Green Cove Springs's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Green Cove Springs 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 12 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 Green Cove Springs's water compare to other cities?
Green Cove Springs ranks #32 out of 372 cities in Georgia (better than 91% of state cities) and #2505 out of 15382 cities nationally (84th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Green Cove Springs's small water system affect quality?
Green Cove Springs's system serves approximately 1,310 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 12 violations on record.