WaterVerge

Is Lenox, GA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: GA0750002
Overall Score
90.5 / 100
Violations
5 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#23 of 378 in Georgia Top 14% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
90.5/100
waterverge.com
A 90.5/100

Lenox, GA — Water Quality Report

Lenox's drinking water received a grade of A (90.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,083 residents using groundwater.

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 78 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Lenox's water

Lenox ranks #23 out of 378 cities in Georgia for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
90.5 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
40.5/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Lenox, GA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Lenox's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A (90.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,083 residents using groundwater (wells).

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

Recent water quality updates for Lenox

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Lenox's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.5/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE HELENE

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

Disaster
HURRICANE IDALIA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4738). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate.

Key contaminant findings

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

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Lenox's water system has 78 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

OtherMCLMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2013 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jun 2005 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jan 2005 Nitrate Resolved
Jul 2004 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Mar 2001 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Cook County has experienced 8 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 Little River.

HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-4830
HURRICANE IDALIA
Hurricane FEMA DR-4738
HURRICANE MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA DR-4400

Where does Lenox's water come from?

Lenox's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,083 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Little River (river).

What Lenox residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Lenox'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
Compliance Record

Violation summary

78
Total violations
2
Health-based
5
Active / unresolved
Jul 2013
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

78 Total
5 Active
2 Health-based
73 Resolved
Violations by category
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
30
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Inorganic Chemicals
11
Total Coliform Rule
7
Nitrate Rule
3
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2000 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1994 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jun 2005 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2005
Jan 2005 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2005
Mar 2001 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
HEXACHLOROBENZENE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
Benzo(a)pyrene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
Xylenes, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
DICHLOROMETHANE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
o-Dichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
p-Dichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
Carbon tetrachloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Jan 2001 Resolved
Trichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Showing 20 of 78 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Lenox

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
MICRO CHEM CO LLC
Chemicals · NA
ADEL, GA31620
8.2 mi
BASF CORP
Chemicals · BASF CORP
SPARKS, GA31647
2.7 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D4 — exceptional drought

Cook 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)
13.9%
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

8
Declared disasters
Sep 2024
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Cook County has experienced 8 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 2023
HURRICANE IDALIA
Hurricane FEMA #4738
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

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 1.6 ppb from 2004 (2.8 ppb) to 2023 (1.2 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,083
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Lenox's water comes from

Groundwater

Lenox'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 1,083 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Lenox

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

Little River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Lenox

System Name PWSID Population Source
LENOX GA0750002 1,083 GW
Regional Comparison

How Lenox compares

Full Georgia rankings →

Lenox's score of 90.5/100 is above the average of 64/100 among major Georgia cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Lenox (this city)
90.5
Atlanta
37.2
Buford
82.4
Marietta
82.2
Decatur
84.8
Alpharetta
41.4
Georgia avg
64
City Profile

About Lenox, GA

Wikipedia →

Lenox is a town in Cook County, Georgia, United States. The population was 752 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$28,977
Median Income
$75,263
Median Home Value
$682/mo
Median Rent
6.4%
Unemployment
Community
32.3
Median Age
215
People / sq mi
5.3%
College Educated
60.1%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Lenox, GA tap water safe to drink?

Lenox's water quality earned a grade of A (90.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #23 out of 378 cities tested in Georgia.

What contaminants are in Lenox's water?

Lead was measured at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile). 78 violations are on record.

How is Lenox'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 Lenox?

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

Where does Lenox's water come from?

Lenox's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,083 residents.

What health violations has Lenox's water system had?

Lenox has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2013. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.

Is Lenox's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Lenox 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 78 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 Lenox's water compare to other cities?

Lenox ranks #23 out of 378 cities in Georgia (better than 94% of state cities) and #2206 out of 15744 cities nationally (86th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Lenox's small water system affect quality?

Lenox's system serves approximately 1,083 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 78 violations on record.