Chlorate in Georgia Drinking Water
Ranked by max chlorate detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR
Chlorate in Georgia: what the data shows
Georgia has 64 cities with chlorate data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Chlorate exceeded the 210 µg/L EPA lifetime health advisory in 35 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 385.4 µg/L. Chlorate is a disinfection byproduct that forms when chlorine dioxide or hypochlorite solutions are used to disinfect drinking water. It is most common in systems that use chlorine dioxide for taste-and-odor control or that store hypochlorite for extended periods. There is no federal MCL — the EPA lifetime health advisory is 210 µg/L. Chlorate can interfere with thyroid function by blocking iodide uptake, an effect of particular concern for pregnant women, infants, and people with thyroid conditions. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (anion-specific) are effective at removing chlorate; standard activated carbon filters provide only modest reduction.
Cities exceeding 210 µg/L EPA lifetime HA (no MCL)
Chlorate data across Georgia
Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 chlorate testing data. Cities where chlorate exceeds the 210 µg/L EPA lifetime health advisory are highlighted. Size reflects population served.
Top 10 cities by chlorate level in Georgia
Highest Chlorate levels (µg/L)
All Georgia cities ranked by chlorate level
| # | City | Level | Level | Over HA? | Violations | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Marys | 4430.0 µg/L | Over HA | 8 | B- | |
| 2 | Chatsworth | 1226.3 µg/L | Over HA | 3 | C- | |
| 3 | Milledgeville | 884.6 µg/L | Over HA | 33 | D | |
| 4 | East Point | 820.0 µg/L | Over HA | 5 | B | |
| 5 | Morrow | 795.5 µg/L | Over HA | 1 | B+ | |
| 6 | Monroe | 770.0 µg/L | Over HA | 4 | B | |
| 7 | Eatonton | 765.8 µg/L | Over HA | 121 | F | |
| 8 | Jefferson | 762.1 µg/L | Over HA | 8 | C+ | |
| 9 | Woodstock | 719.0 µg/L | Over HA | 1 | B+ | |
| 10 | Newnan | 683.3 µg/L | Over HA | 4 | B | |
| 11 | Blairsville | 620.0 µg/L | Over HA | 11 | F | |
| 12 | Smyrna | 598.0 µg/L | Over HA | 0 | B+ | |
| 13 | Dallas | 567.0 µg/L | Over HA | 5 | B | |
| 14 | Gainesville | 490.0 µg/L | Over HA | 3 | C+ | |
| 15 | Dawsonville | 485.0 µg/L | Over HA | 11 | B- | |
| 16 | Moultrie | 483.0 µg/L | Over HA | 5 | C- | |
| 17 | Cartersville | 450.0 µg/L | Over HA | 6 | B | |
| 18 | Carrollton | 450.0 µg/L | Over HA | 14 | C | |
| 19 | Demorest | 450.0 µg/L | Over HA | 1 | B+ | |
| 20 | Tifton | 438.0 µg/L | Over HA | 6 | C- | |
| 21 | Marietta | 430.0 µg/L | Over HA | 5 | B+ | |
| 22 | Griffin | 400.0 µg/L | Over HA | 9 | F | |
| 23 | Thomson | 375.0 µg/L | Over HA | 28 | D | |
| 24 | Atlanta | 360.0 µg/L | Over HA | 21 | F | |
| 25 | Winder | 351.0 µg/L | Over HA | 5 | B+ | |
| 26 | Cumming | 350.0 µg/L | Over HA | 30 | F | |
| 27 | Jackson | 340.0 µg/L | Over HA | 18 | D | |
| 28 | Augusta | 310.0 µg/L | Over HA | 31 | F | |
| 29 | Savannah | 300.0 µg/L | Over HA | 111 | F | |
| 30 | Fayetteville | 280.0 µg/L | Over HA | 19 | C | |
| 31 | Dalton | 277.0 µg/L | Over HA | 0 | B | |
| 32 | Union City | 240.0 µg/L | Over HA | 12 | B- | |
| 33 | Statesboro | 230.0 µg/L | Over HA | 50 | F | |
| 34 | Alpharetta | 220.0 µg/L | Over HA | 4 | F | |
| 35 | Martinez | 214.6 µg/L | Over HA | 3 | B- | |
| 36 | Portal | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B- | |
| 37 | Dublin | 205.0 µg/L | No | 3 | F | |
| 38 | Villa Rica | 201.1 µg/L | No | 1 | B- | |
| 39 | Cedartown | 200.0 µg/L | No | 4 | B+ | |
| 40 | Valdosta | 168.0 µg/L | No | 78 | F | |
| 41 | Buchanan | 150.0 µg/L | No | 12 | C+ | |
| 42 | Gray | 149.0 µg/L | No | 1 | D+ | |
| 43 | La Grange | 148.6 µg/L | No | 1 | B+ | |
| 44 | Douglasville | 140.0 µg/L | No | 0 | A | |
| 45 | Thomasville | 134.0 µg/L | No | 39 | D | |
| 46 | Columbus | 120.0 µg/L | No | 0 | B+ | |
| 47 | Macon | 120.0 µg/L | No | 3 | C+ | |
| 48 | Conyers | 120.0 µg/L | No | 14 | D+ | |
| 49 | Roswell | 118.2 µg/L | No | 10 | F | |
| 50 | College Park | 100.0 µg/L | No | 0 | B | |
| 51 | Athens | 98.0 µg/L | No | 52 | F | |
| 52 | Calhoun | 92.0 µg/L | No | 1 | B+ | |
| 53 | Canton | 87.3 µg/L | No | 5 | B | |
| 54 | Loganville | 81.2 µg/L | No | 3 | A | |
| 55 | Soperton | 78.0 µg/L | No | 3 | A- | |
| 56 | Waycross | 62.0 µg/L | No | 7 | C+ | |
| 57 | Ringgold | 47.0 µg/L | No | 11 | B- | |
| 58 | Decatur | 45.5 µg/L | No | 0 | B+ | |
| 59 | Leesburg | 42.1 µg/L | No | 7 | C- | |
| 60 | Cataula | 41.0 µg/L | No | 2 | B | |
| 61 | Warner Robins | 40.0 µg/L | No | 7 | B- | |
| 62 | Forsyth | 38.0 µg/L | No | 16 | C | |
| 63 | Vidalia | 38.0 µg/L | No | 48 | D | |
| 64 | Port Wentworth | 29.0 µg/L | No | 6 | D+ |
Frequently asked questions about chlorate in Georgia
Is chlorate in Georgia tap water dangerous?
Chlorate has no federal MCL. The EPA lifetime health advisory is 210 µg/L. 35 cities in Georgia exceed this level. Chlorate can interfere with thyroid iodide uptake, which is a particular concern for infants, pregnant women, and people with hypothyroidism.
Where does chlorate in Georgia water come from?
Chlorate is a byproduct of chlorine-based disinfectants — particularly chlorine dioxide and hypochlorite (bleach) solutions. Levels tend to be higher in systems that use chlorine dioxide for taste-and-odor treatment or store sodium hypochlorite at high concentrations or for long periods. Levels vary seasonally with disinfectant use.
How can I reduce chlorate exposure?
Reverse osmosis is the most effective home treatment for chlorate, typically removing 80–95%. Anion exchange systems also work but require regeneration. Standard activated carbon filters provide only limited chlorate reduction. Boiling does NOT remove chlorate.