Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic in Georgia Drinking Water

Ranked by arsenic violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

3.1 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

303

Health Violations

Analysis

Arsenic in Georgia: what the data shows

Georgia has 94 cities with arsenic-related violations on record. Arsenic contamination is a federal MCL violation at levels above 10 µg/L (10 ppb). The state has 94 cities with at least one arsenic violation. Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through erosion of natural deposits, particularly in western states with arsenite-bearing geology. Industrial sources include mining runoff, glass manufacturing, and semiconductor production. Groundwater systems are significantly more likely to have arsenic issues than surface water systems. Long-term arsenic exposure above the MCL increases the risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Reverse osmosis and specialized arsenic-removal media are the most effective point-of-use treatment options.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 µg/L EPA MCL

Georgia

100%

94 of 94 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

5489 of 5489 cities

City Map

Arsenic data across Georgia

Each dot is a city with arsenic violation data. Cities with at least one arsenic-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by arsenic level in Georgia

Highest Arsenic levels (violations)

All Cities

All Georgia cities ranked by arsenic level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Thomasville	18 violations	Yes	39	D
2	Savannah	16 violations	Yes	111	F
3	Attapulgus	13 violations	Yes	15	C+
4	Eatonton	12 violations	Yes	121	F
5	Cairo	12 violations	Yes	23	D
6	Statesboro	11 violations	Yes	50	F
7	Blairsville	11 violations	Yes	11	F
8	Midway	11 violations	Yes	47	D
9	Brunswick	8 violations	Yes	23	F
10	Lake Park	8 violations	Yes	176	F
11	Roswell	8 violations	Yes	10	F
12	Waverly Hall	7 violations	Yes	0	D+
13	Americus	6 violations	Yes	35	F
14	Cumming	5 violations	Yes	30	F
15	Griffin	5 violations	Yes	9	F
16	Ludowici	5 violations	Yes	26	D
17	Alpharetta	4 violations	Yes	4	F
18	Valdosta	4 violations	Yes	78	F
19	Dublin	4 violations	Yes	3	F
20	Rincon	4 violations	Yes	14	F
21	Douglas	4 violations	Yes	14	F
22	Dahlonega	4 violations	Yes	10	F
23	Swainsboro	4 violations	Yes	4	C-
24	Ashburn	4 violations	Yes	0	A-
25	Athens	3 violations	Yes	52	F
26	Moultrie	3 violations	Yes	5	C-
27	Springfield	3 violations	Yes	3	F
28	Pine Mountain	3 violations	Yes	2	F
29	Walthourville	3 violations	Yes	1	D
30	Claxton	3 violations	Yes	6	D
31	Thunderbolt	3 violations	Yes	4	C+
32	Norcross	3 violations	Yes	0	C
33	Rabun Gap	3 violations	Yes	3	C
34	Jackson	2 violations	Yes	18	D
35	Conyers	2 violations	Yes	14	D+
36	Watkinsville	2 violations	Yes	66	F
37	Waycross	2 violations	Yes	7	C+
38	Bainbridge	2 violations	Yes	17	D+
39	Jesup	2 violations	Yes	23	F
40	Camilla	2 violations	Yes	3	B-
41	Pembroke	2 violations	Yes	0	C-
42	Lyons	2 violations	Yes	32	D
43	Reidsville	2 violations	Yes	4	C-
44	Townsend	2 violations	Yes	12	F
45	Hagan	2 violations	Yes	1	C
46	Kingston	2 violations	Yes	1	B
47	Meigs	2 violations	Yes	2	A-
48	Lake City	2 violations	Yes	8	A-
49	Atlanta	1 violations	Yes	21	F
50	Augusta	1 violations	Yes	31	F
51	Hinesville	1 violations	Yes	24	D
52	Forsyth	1 violations	Yes	16	C
53	Monroe	1 violations	Yes	4	B
54	Gray	1 violations	Yes	1	D+
55	St. Marys	1 violations	Yes	8	B-
56	Richmond Hill	1 violations	Yes	4	B-
57	Cordele	1 violations	Yes	13	D
58	Ellijay	1 violations	Yes	9	C+
59	Villa Rica	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
60	Vidalia	1 violations	Yes	48	D
61	Cleveland	1 violations	Yes	15	F
62	Locust Grove	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
63	Darien	1 violations	Yes	3	C-
64	Franklin	1 violations	Yes	11	B-
65	Homer	1 violations	Yes	10	C+
66	Tybee Island	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
67	Buena Vista	1 violations	Yes	17	F
68	Carnesville	1 violations	Yes	47	D
69	Millen	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
70	Metter	1 violations	Yes	5	B
71	Statham	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
72	Mount Vernon	1 violations	Yes	37	B+
73	Maysville	1 violations	Yes	17	C-
74	Luthersville	1 violations	Yes	0	B-
75	Jeffersonville	1 violations	Yes	1	C+
76	Dudley	1 violations	Yes	0	B-
77	Newington	1 violations	Yes	2	F
78	Broxton	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
79	Comer	1 violations	Yes	7	B+
80	Marshallville	1 violations	Yes	12	B-
81	Crawford	1 violations	Yes	44	D
82	Gibson	1 violations	Yes	24	D
83	Nahunta	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
84	Lenox	1 violations	Yes	2	A
85	Shellman	1 violations	Yes	4	B
86	Sardis	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
87	Statenville	1 violations	Yes	24	D+
88	Uvalda	1 violations	Yes	1	D
89	Patterson	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
90	Stillmore	1 violations	Yes	2	C
91	Midville	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
92	Brooks	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
93	Harrison	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
94	Manor	1 violations	Yes	1	B+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about arsenic in Georgia

Is arsenic in Georgia tap water a concern?

Yes — 94 cities in Georgia have arsenic-related violations on record. The EPA MCL for arsenic is 10 µg/L. Even at levels below the MCL, long-term arsenic exposure has been linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

How can I remove arsenic from my drinking water in Georgia?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing arsenic, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Specialized arsenic-removal media (such as iron-based adsorption filters) are also highly effective. Standard carbon filters and pitcher filters do NOT effectively remove arsenic. If your water comes from a private well, have it tested for arsenic.

Where does arsenic in Georgia water come from?

Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through natural erosion of arsenic-bearing rock formations. It is most common in groundwater systems in the western United States, parts of the Midwest, and New England. Industrial sources include mining, smelting, and agricultural pesticide residues. Groundwater sources are far more likely to contain arsenic than surface water.

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