WaterVerge

Is Sea Island, GA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: GA1270025
Overall Score
82.9 / 100
Violations
6 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#135 of 378 in Georgia Top 43% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
82.9/100
waterverge.com
B+ 82.9/100

Sea Island, GA — Water Quality Report

Sea Island's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,859 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 3.9 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 11 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Sea Island's water

Sea Island ranks #135 out of 378 cities in Georgia for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
82.9 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
39.9/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 3.9 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 Sea Island, GA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Sea Island's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,859 residents using groundwater (wells).

6
Active Violations
3.9 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Sea Island

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sea Island's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.9/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

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

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

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 3.9 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Sea Island's water system has 11 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMCLMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2009 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 2006 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2005 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Glynn County has experienced 10 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 Brunswick River.

HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-4830
HURRICANE IDALIA
Hurricane FEMA DR-4738
HURRICANE DORIAN
Hurricane FEMA DR-3422

Where does Sea Island's water come from?

Sea Island's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,859 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Brunswick River (stream).

What Sea Island residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Sea Island'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
3.9 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 26% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

11
Total violations
3
Health-based
6
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

11 Total
6 Active
3 Health-based
5 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
5
Consumer Confidence Rule
4
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 1994 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2009 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2009
Jul 2005 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2005
Jul 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 1996
Mar 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 1995
Jun 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1994
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D4 — exceptional drought

Glynn County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 42.7% 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)
16.3%
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

10
Declared disasters
Sep 2024
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Glynn County has experienced 10 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
Sep 2019
HURRICANE DORIAN
Hurricane FEMA #3422
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) 3.9 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 1.4 ppb from 2004 (2.5 ppb) to 2023 (3.9 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
1,859
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Sea Island's water comes from

Groundwater

Sea Island'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 private ownership and serves approximately 1,859 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Sea Island

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

Brunswick River
stream
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Sea Island

System Name PWSID Population Source
SEA ISLAND COMPANY GA1270025 1,859 GW
Regional Comparison

How Sea Island compares

Full Georgia rankings →

Sea Island's score of 82.9/100 is above the average of 64/100 among major Georgia cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Sea Island (this city)
82.9
Atlanta
37.2
Buford
82.4
Marietta
82.2
Decatur
84.8
Alpharetta
41.4
Georgia avg
64
City Profile

About Sea Island, GA

Wikipedia →

Brunswick is a city in and the county seat of Glynn County in the U.S. state of Georgia. As the primary urban and economic center of the lower southeast portion of Georgia, it is the second-largest urban area on the Georgia coastline after Savannah and contains the Brunswick Old Town Historic District. At the 2020 U.S. census, the population of the city proper was 15,210; the Brunswick metropolitan area's population as of 2020 was 113,495.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Sea Island, GA tap water safe to drink?

Sea Island's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #135 out of 378 cities tested in Georgia.

What contaminants are in Sea Island's water?

Lead was measured at 3.9 ppb (90th percentile). 11 violations are on record.

How is Sea Island'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 Sea Island?

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

Where does Sea Island's water come from?

Sea Island's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,859 residents.

What health violations has Sea Island's water system had?

Sea Island 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. 6 violations remain unresolved.

Is Sea Island's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Sea Island 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 11 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 Sea Island's water compare to other cities?

Sea Island ranks #135 out of 378 cities in Georgia (better than 64% of state cities) and #6698 out of 15744 cities nationally (58th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Sea Island's small water system affect quality?

Sea Island's system serves approximately 1,859 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 11 violations on record.