WaterVerge

Is White, GA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 12 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

900 residents served 1 water system PWSID: GA0150004
Overall Score
80.6 / 100
Violations
12 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#166 of 378 in Georgia Top 50% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
80.6/100
waterverge.com
B+ 80.6/100

White, GA — Water Quality Report

White's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 900 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.5 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 16 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about White's water

White ranks #166 out of 378 cities in Georgia for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
80.6 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
38.6/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is White, GA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

White's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (80.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 900 residents using groundwater (wells).

12
Active Violations
1.5 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
4 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for White

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into White's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (80.6/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate-Nitrite.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE IRMA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4338). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE IRMA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3387). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.5 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

White's water system has 16 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROther
Most recent violations:
Jan 2024 Nitrate-Nitrite Resolved
Oct 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2022 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2022 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Bartow County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1995. 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 Shoal Creek, Allatoona Lake, Etowah River Allatoona Dam Tw,, Etowah River, Two Run Creek.

HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA DR-4338
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3387
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3218

Where does White's water come from?

White's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 900 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Shoal Creek (river), Allatoona Lake (lake), Etowah River Allatoona Dam Tw, (river), Etowah River (river), Two Run Creek (river).

What White residents can do

Install a water filter

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

White'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
1.5 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 10% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

16
Total violations
0
Health-based
12
Active / unresolved
Jan 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

16 Total
12 Active
0 Health-based
4 Resolved
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
10
Nitrate Rule
3
Total Coliform Rule
1
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Oct 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2015 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2011 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2003 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2002 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2024 Resolved
Nitrate-Nitrite
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2024
Mar 2008 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2008
Jan 2002 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2002
Jan 2002 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2002
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of White

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 9,928 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
CHEMICAL PRODUCTS CORP
Chemicals · NA
CARTERSVILLE, GA30120
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)9,9289.4 mi
CETCO
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC
CARTERSVILLE, GA30121
4.2 mi
ANHEUSER-BUSCH LLC CARTERSVI LLE BREWERY
Beverages · ANHEUSER-BUSCH COS LLC
CARTERSVILLE, GA30121
3.0 mi
PANDEL INC
Plastics and Rubber · PANDEL HOLDINGS INC
CARTERSVILLE, GA30120
9.8 mi
ATCO RUBBER PRODUCTS INC
Plastics and Rubber · MUELLER INDUSTRIES INC
CARTERSVILLE, GA30120
9.6 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Bartow County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

12
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
19.3%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
12
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

4
Declared disasters
Sep 2017
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Bartow County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1995. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2017
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA #4338
Sep 2017
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA #3387
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3218
Oct 1995
HURRICANE OPAL
Hurricane FEMA #1071

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.5 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 1.1 ppb from 2006 (2.6 ppb) to 2025 (1.5 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
900
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where White's water comes from

Groundwater

White'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 900 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near White

White is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Shoal Creek
river
Allatoona Lake
lake
Etowah River Allatoona Dam Tw,
river
Etowah River
river
Two Run Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving White

System Name PWSID Population Source
WHITE GA0150004 900 GW
Regional Comparison

How White compares

Full Georgia rankings →

White's score of 80.6/100 is above the average of 64/100 among major Georgia cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

White (this city)
80.6
Atlanta
37.2
Buford
82.4
Marietta
82.2
Decatur
84.8
Alpharetta
41.4
Georgia avg
64
City Profile

About White, GA

Wikipedia →

White is a city in Bartow County, Georgia, United States. The population was 661 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$63,750
Median Income
$139,726
Median Home Value
$806/mo
Median Rent
6.8%
Unemployment
Community
33
Median Age
302
People / sq mi
7.7%
College Educated
51.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is White, GA tap water safe to drink?

White's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #166 out of 378 cities tested in Georgia.

What contaminants are in White's water?

Lead was measured at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile). 16 violations are on record.

How is White'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 White?

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

Where does White's water come from?

White's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 900 residents.

Is White's groundwater at risk of contamination?

White 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 16 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 White's water compare to other cities?

White ranks #166 out of 378 cities in Georgia (better than 56% of state cities) and #7797 out of 15744 cities nationally (51th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does White's small water system affect quality?

White's system serves approximately 900 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 16 violations on record.