Nitrate Contamination

Nitrate in Georgia Drinking Water

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

226

Cities Tested

226

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

8.1 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

303

Health Violations

Analysis

Nitrate in Georgia: what the data shows

Georgia has 226 cities with nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L (measured as nitrogen). The state has 226 cities with at least one nitrate violation. Nitrate is the most common groundwater contaminant in the United States. It enters water supplies primarily through agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural and agricultural communities face the highest risk. The primary acute health concern is methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") in infants under six months. Emerging research also links chronic nitrate exposure to thyroid disease, certain cancers, and adverse birth outcomes. Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation can remove nitrate from drinking water — standard carbon filters do not.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 mg/L EPA MCL

Georgia

100%

226 of 226 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

8001 of 8001 cities

City Map

Nitrate data across Georgia

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

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by nitrate level in Georgia

Highest Nitrate levels (violations)

All Cities

All Georgia cities ranked by nitrate level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Savannah	147 violations	Yes	111	F
2	Eatonton	116 violations	Yes	121	F
3	Americus	103 violations	Yes	35	F
4	Twin City	78 violations	Yes	18	D
5	Statesboro	72 violations	Yes	50	F
6	Valdosta	61 violations	Yes	78	F
7	Roswell	53 violations	Yes	10	F
8	Douglas	45 violations	Yes	14	F
9	Blairsville	33 violations	Yes	11	F
10	Midway	33 violations	Yes	47	D
11	Athens	32 violations	Yes	52	F
12	Watkinsville	31 violations	Yes	66	F
13	Cordele	30 violations	Yes	13	D
14	Hinesville	29 violations	Yes	24	D
15	Bainbridge	29 violations	Yes	17	D+
16	Brunswick	25 violations	Yes	23	F
17	Atlanta	23 violations	Yes	21	F
18	Albany	20 violations	Yes	11	F
19	Cairo	20 violations	Yes	23	D
20	Cumming	19 violations	Yes	30	F
21	Griffin	19 violations	Yes	9	F
22	Lake Park	19 violations	Yes	176	F
23	Jesup	19 violations	Yes	23	F
24	Ludowici	19 violations	Yes	26	D
25	Thomasville	18 violations	Yes	39	D
26	Hephzibah	18 violations	Yes	11	F
27	Blakely	17 violations	Yes	7	C-
28	Jackson	13 violations	Yes	18	D
29	Vidalia	13 violations	Yes	48	D
30	Pooler	12 violations	Yes	9	D+
31	Talbotton	12 violations	Yes	24	D
32	Gainesville	11 violations	Yes	3	C+
33	Leesburg	11 violations	Yes	7	C-
34	Cleveland	11 violations	Yes	15	F
35	Conyers	10 violations	Yes	14	D+
36	Moultrie	10 violations	Yes	5	C-
37	Woodbine	10 violations	Yes	2	B-
38	Dublin	9 violations	Yes	3	F
39	Millen	9 violations	Yes	2	A-
40	Colquitt	9 violations	Yes	3	A-
41	Hagan	9 violations	Yes	1	C
42	Rincon	8 violations	Yes	14	F
43	Richmond Hill	8 violations	Yes	4	B-
44	Darien	8 violations	Yes	3	C-
45	Pine Mountain	8 violations	Yes	2	F
46	Metter	8 violations	Yes	5	B
47	Pelham	8 violations	Yes	10	C-
48	Woodland	8 violations	Yes	6	B+
49	Warner Robins	7 violations	Yes	7	B-
50	Monroe	7 violations	Yes	4	B
51	Hartwell	7 violations	Yes	53	F
52	Waynesboro	7 violations	Yes	1	B-
53	Lumpkin	7 violations	Yes	6	F
54	Claxton	7 violations	Yes	6	D
55	Townsend	7 violations	Yes	12	F
56	Newington	7 violations	Yes	2	F
57	Shellman	7 violations	Yes	4	B
58	Alpharetta	6 violations	Yes	4	F
59	Forsyth	6 violations	Yes	16	C
60	Dahlonega	6 violations	Yes	10	F
61	Elberton	6 violations	Yes	1	D+
62	Cornelia	6 violations	Yes	2	B
63	Nicholson	6 violations	Yes	3	B
64	Thunderbolt	6 violations	Yes	4	C+
65	Norman Park	6 violations	Yes	0	C
66	Brooks	6 violations	Yes	3	B-
67	Augusta	5 violations	Yes	31	F
68	Saint Simons Island	5 violations	Yes	7	B-
69	Grovetown	5 violations	Yes	6	B-
70	Ellijay	5 violations	Yes	9	C+
71	Auburn	5 violations	Yes	11	F
72	Senoia	5 violations	Yes	5	C+
73	Hawkinsville	5 violations	Yes	8	A-
74	Blackshear	5 violations	Yes	4	B-
75	Walthourville	5 violations	Yes	1	D
76	Omega	5 violations	Yes	5	B+
77	Reynolds	5 violations	Yes	9	C-
78	Lake City	5 violations	Yes	8	A-
79	Fayetteville	4 violations	Yes	19	C
80	Port Wentworth	4 violations	Yes	6	D+
81	Jefferson	4 violations	Yes	8	C+
82	Braselton	4 violations	Yes	1	B
83	Springfield	4 violations	Yes	3	F
84	Young Harris	4 violations	Yes	0	A
85	Swainsboro	4 violations	Yes	4	C-
86	Garden City	4 violations	Yes	4	B+
87	Blue Ridge	4 violations	Yes	15	D
88	Hampton	4 violations	Yes	2	B-
89	Carnesville	4 violations	Yes	47	D
90	Quitman	4 violations	Yes	15	B-
91	Ashburn	4 violations	Yes	0	A-
92	Lyons	4 violations	Yes	32	D
93	Baldwin	4 violations	Yes	3	A-
94	Alto	4 violations	Yes	13	B+
95	Martin	4 violations	Yes	6	B
96	Morgan	4 violations	Yes	1	A-
97	Richland	4 violations	Yes	5	B+
98	Meigs	4 violations	Yes	2	A-
99	Rutledge	4 violations	Yes	0	B-
100	Sycamore	4 violations	Yes	0	A-
101	Midville	4 violations	Yes	1	A-
102	Ellabell	4 violations	Yes	0	B+
103	Cadwell	4 violations	Yes	1	A
104	Shiloh	4 violations	Yes	1	B+
105	Carrollton	3 violations	Yes	14	C
106	Tifton	3 violations	Yes	6	C-
107	Clayton	3 violations	Yes	1	A-
108	Barnesville	3 violations	Yes	10	C
109	Madison	3 violations	Yes	5	B
110	Danielsville	3 violations	Yes	9	D+
111	Roberta	3 violations	Yes	7	B+
112	Reidsville	3 violations	Yes	4	C-
113	Wrightsville	3 violations	Yes	5	A-
114	Royston	3 violations	Yes	0	B+
115	Georgetown	3 violations	Yes	2	B
116	Wadley	3 violations	Yes	1	B
117	Jeffersonville	3 violations	Yes	1	C+
118	Pearson	3 violations	Yes	1	B
119	Dillard	3 violations	Yes	0	B+
120	Marshallville	3 violations	Yes	12	B-
121	Crawford	3 violations	Yes	44	D
122	Boston	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
123	Lenox	3 violations	Yes	2	A
124	Sardis	3 violations	Yes	5	A-
125	Canon	3 violations	Yes	0	B-
126	Uvalda	3 violations	Yes	1	D
127	White	3 violations	Yes	0	B+
128	Norcross	3 violations	Yes	0	C
129	Pitts	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
130	Crawfordville	3 violations	Yes	10	C+
131	Toomsboro	3 violations	Yes	3	A
132	Allenhurst	3 violations	Yes	6	B-
133	Marietta	2 violations	Yes	5	B+
134	Covington	2 violations	Yes	20	F
135	Jasper	2 violations	Yes	5	B-
136	Dawsonville	2 violations	Yes	11	B-
137	Gray	2 violations	Yes	1	D+
138	Demorest	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
139	Fitzgerald	2 violations	Yes	27	A-
140	Monticello	2 violations	Yes	25	D+
141	Buena Vista	2 violations	Yes	17	F
142	Sylvester	2 violations	Yes	5	A-
143	Hoschton	2 violations	Yes	3	B+
144	Pembroke	2 violations	Yes	0	C-
145	Adel	2 violations	Yes	0	A
146	Temple	2 violations	Yes	3	B
147	Dawson	2 violations	Yes	3	A-
148	Nashville	2 violations	Yes	3	A
149	Ocilla	2 violations	Yes	4	C-
150	Cuthbert	2 violations	Yes	5	B
151	Abbeville	2 violations	Yes	2	B+
152	Donalsonville	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
153	Luthersville	2 violations	Yes	0	B-
154	Tennille	2 violations	Yes	3	B+
155	Davisboro	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
156	Chester	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
157	Brooklet	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
158	Broxton	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
159	Rochelle	2 violations	Yes	1	B
160	Sautee	2 violations	Yes	15	B+
161	Ray City	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
162	Enigma	2 violations	Yes	1	B-
163	Ivey	2 violations	Yes	2	B+
164	Arlington	2 violations	Yes	6	B
165	Homeland	2 violations	Yes	13	A-
166	Adrian	2 violations	Yes	1	B
167	Ochlocknee	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
168	Patterson	2 violations	Yes	1	A-
169	Smithville	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
170	Waverly Hall	2 violations	Yes	0	D+
171	Harrison	2 violations	Yes	0	B+
172	Berlin	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
173	Ailey	2 violations	Yes	25	C+
174	Cobbtown	2 violations	Yes	4	A-
175	Bronwood	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
176	Dallas	1 violations	Yes	5	B
177	Dalton	1 violations	Yes	0	B
178	Kathleen	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
179	Cartersville	1 violations	Yes	6	B
180	Rome	1 violations	Yes	3	B
181	Cedartown	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
182	Waycross	1 violations	Yes	7	C+
183	Cataula	1 violations	Yes	2	B
184	St. Marys	1 violations	Yes	8	B-
185	La Fayette	1 violations	Yes	1	B
186	Mcdonough	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
187	Villa Rica	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
188	Summerville	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
189	Cochran	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
190	Franklin	1 violations	Yes	11	B-
191	Camilla	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
192	Homer	1 violations	Yes	10	C+
193	Adairsville	1 violations	Yes	2	A
194	Washington	1 violations	Yes	11	B+
195	Greensboro	1 violations	Yes	46	C-
196	Hazlehurst	1 violations	Yes	7	C+
197	Glennville	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
198	Louisville	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
199	Butler	1 violations	Yes	24	B-
200	Sparta	1 violations	Yes	4	D
201	Alma	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
202	Statham	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
203	Unadilla	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
204	Lexington	1 violations	Yes	33	D
205	Cusseta	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
206	Warrenton	1 violations	Yes	53	D
207	Pinehurst	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
208	Irwinton	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
209	Comer	1 violations	Yes	7	B+
210	Warm Springs	1 violations	Yes	34	B
211	Blythe	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
212	Bowman	1 violations	Yes	0	B
213	Baconton	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
214	Screven	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
215	Menlo	1 violations	Yes	1	B
216	Plains	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
217	Preston	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
218	Portal	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
219	Pavo	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
220	Stillmore	1 violations	Yes	2	C
221	Milan	1 violations	Yes	0	B
222	Concord	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
223	Alapaha	1 violations	Yes	3	C+
224	Coolidge	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
225	Barwick	1 violations	Yes	1	A
226	Yatesville	1 violations	Yes	0	B

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about nitrate in Georgia

Is nitrate in Georgia tap water dangerous?

Yes — 226 cities in Georgia have nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL is 10 mg/L. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants under six months, where it can cause methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome"). Adults face lower acute risk, but chronic exposure is linked to thyroid disease and certain cancers.

How can I remove nitrate from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation are effective at removing nitrate. Standard carbon filters (including most pitcher and faucet-mount filters) do NOT remove nitrate. If you rely on a private well in an agricultural area, have your water tested annually for nitrate.

What causes high nitrate levels in Georgia water?

Nitrate contamination comes primarily from agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural communities near intensive farming are most at risk. Shallow wells are particularly vulnerable. Heavy rainfall can spike nitrate levels as it washes fertilizer into groundwater and surface water supplies.

More contaminants