Is Whigham, GA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
89.6/100
waterverge.com Whigham, GA — Water Quality Report
Whigham's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 957 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 8 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Whigham's water
Whigham ranks #35 out of 378 cities in Georgia for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Whigham 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, Whigham may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Whigham, GA water safe to drink?
Whigham's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 957 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Whigham
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Whigham's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.6/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4830). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4400). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Whigham's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Whigham's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Grady County has experienced 7 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.
Where does Whigham's water come from?
Whigham's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 957 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Whigham residents can do
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.
Whigham'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Whigham
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Whigham, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
SEMINOLE MARINE INC. CAIRO, GA39828 | — | — | 7.0 mi |
JTEKT BEARINGS NA LLC-CAIRO PLANT CAIRO, GA39828 | — | — | 7.0 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D4 — exceptional droughtGrady 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.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Grady County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 2004. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Whigham compares by contaminant
Explore where Whigham ranks among all Georgia cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Whigham's water comes from
Whigham'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 957 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Whigham
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHIGHAM | GA1310001 | 957 | GW |
How Whigham compares
Full Georgia rankings →Whigham's score of 89.6/100 is above the average of 64/100 among major Georgia cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Georgia rankings →About Whigham, GA
Wikipedia →Whigham is a city in Grady County, Georgia, United States. The population was 428 in 2020.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Whigham's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Grady
Frequently asked questions
Is Whigham, GA tap water safe to drink?
Whigham's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #35 out of 378 cities tested in Georgia.
What contaminants are in Whigham's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.
How is Whigham'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 Whigham?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Whigham's water come from?
Whigham's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 957 residents.
Is Whigham's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Whigham 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 8 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 Whigham's water compare to other cities?
Whigham ranks #35 out of 378 cities in Georgia (better than 91% of state cities) and #2733 out of 15744 cities nationally (83th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Whigham's small water system affect quality?
Whigham's system serves approximately 957 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 8 violations on record.