01The verdict: is Macon water safe?
Macon's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (65.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 130,105 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
24 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 ↓130K people, 2 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓Chlorate is approaching its limit
Measured at 120.0 µg/L — 57% of the 210 µg/L limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Macon's drinking water received a grade of C+ (65.3 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 130,105 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 6.8 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 51 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 24 remain unresolved.
Macon ranks #280 out of 372 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. Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.16 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration. 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. The system has seen 16 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Macon's water
Every contaminant flagged in Macon, 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. | 6.8 | 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
03Macon'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 51 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 24 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 4.3 ppb since 2002. Latest reading: 6.8 ppb (2027) — 45% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Macon's water comes from
Macon's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
130,105 people
Residents served across Macon's service area.
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 130,105 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MACON WATER AUTHORITY | GA0210001 | 130,024 | Surface Water |
| EAST OCMULGEE ACRES S/D | GA2890008 | 81 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Macon
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Macon's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Macon'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 Bibb County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Macon compares
Scores for nearby Georgia cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Georgia average (61/100)
Macon scores 65.3/100 — on par with the Georgia average of 61/100. It outscores 5 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 Macon's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 6.8 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 Macon 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 Macon, GA tap water safe to drink?
Macon's water quality earned a grade of C+ (65.3/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #280 out of 372 cities tested in Georgia.
What contaminants are in Macon's water?
Lead was measured at 6.8 ppb (90th percentile). 51 violations are on record.
How is Macon'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 Macon?
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 Macon's water come from?
Macon's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 130,105 residents.
What health violations has Macon's water system had?
Macon has 3 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. 24 violations remain unresolved.
How does Macon's water compare to other cities?
Macon ranks #280 out of 372 cities in Georgia (better than 25% of state cities) and #11345 out of 15382 cities nationally (26th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.