Strontium Contamination

Strontium in Georgia Drinking Water

Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Over HRL

% Over HRL

194.3 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 5% vs national

vs National

303

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in Georgia: what the data shows

Georgia has 99 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 1 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 194.3 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

Georgia

1 of 99 cities

← ▼ 5% below national rate (better)

National avg

250 of 4371 cities

City Map

Strontium data across Georgia

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in Georgia

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Georgia cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Moultrie	1820.0 µg/L	Over HRL	5	C-
2	Carrollton	1300.0 µg/L	No	14	C
3	Fayetteville	990.0 µg/L	No	19	C
4	Saint Simons Island	810.0 µg/L	No	7	B-
5	Kingsland	680.0 µg/L	No	12	B
6	St. Marys	678.0 µg/L	No	8	B-
7	Brunswick	650.0 µg/L	No	23	F
8	Savannah	623.0 µg/L	No	111	F
9	Soperton	594.7 µg/L	No	3	A-
10	Richmond Hill	550.0 µg/L	No	4	B-
11	Pooler	478.0 µg/L	No	9	D+
12	Douglas	456.0 µg/L	No	14	F
13	Waycross	390.0 µg/L	No	7	C+
14	Port Wentworth	388.0 µg/L	No	6	D+
15	Hinesville	368.3 µg/L	No	24	D
16	Albany	361.6 µg/L	No	11	F
17	Fort Stewart (U.S. Army)	360.0 µg/L	No	6	A
18	Vidalia	358.0 µg/L	No	48	D
19	Leesburg	347.9 µg/L	No	7	C-
20	Thomasville	344.0 µg/L	No	39	D
21	Tifton	340.0 µg/L	No	6	C-
22	Cairo	330.0 µg/L	No	23	D
23	Cordele	304.0 µg/L	No	13	D
24	Adel	300.0 µg/L	No	0	A
25	Statesboro	285.7 µg/L	No	50	F
26	Dublin	257.0 µg/L	No	3	F
27	Augusta	230.0 µg/L	No	31	F
28	Reidsville	230.0 µg/L	No	4	C-
29	Millen	220.5 µg/L	No	2	A-
30	Watkinsville	214.0 µg/L	No	66	F
31	Fitzgerald	210.3 µg/L	No	27	A-
32	Valdosta	190.0 µg/L	No	78	F
33	Gray	176.0 µg/L	No	1	D+
34	Americus	170.0 µg/L	No	35	F
35	Portal	170.0 µg/L	No	1	B-
36	Demorest	140.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
37	Trenton	123.7 µg/L	No	1	B+
38	Cartersville	110.0 µg/L	No	6	B
39	Chatsworth	103.1 µg/L	No	3	C-
40	Buchanan	100.0 µg/L	No	12	C+
41	Carnesville	87.9 µg/L	No	47	D
42	Dalton	80.2 µg/L	No	0	B
43	Macon	78.0 µg/L	No	3	C+
44	Rome	72.0 µg/L	No	3	B
45	East Point	72.0 µg/L	No	5	B
46	Athens	71.4 µg/L	No	52	F
47	Roswell	70.1 µg/L	No	10	F
48	Morrow	67.8 µg/L	No	1	B+
49	Alpharetta	65.0 µg/L	No	4	F
50	Griffin	60.0 µg/L	No	9	F
51	Milledgeville	60.0 µg/L	No	33	D
52	Cataula	58.0 µg/L	No	2	B
53	Columbus	54.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
54	Newnan	53.0 µg/L	No	4	B
55	Blairsville	53.0 µg/L	No	11	F
56	Villa Rica	53.0 µg/L	No	1	B-
57	Mcdonough	51.4 µg/L	No	1	B+
58	Thomson	51.2 µg/L	No	28	D
59	La Fayette	50.0 µg/L	No	1	B
60	Bainbridge	48.7 µg/L	No	17	D+
61	Summerville	48.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
62	Eatonton	47.6 µg/L	No	121	F
63	Calhoun	47.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
64	Rockmart	47.0 µg/L	No	0	A
65	College Park	44.8 µg/L	No	0	B
66	Winder	44.2 µg/L	No	5	B+
67	Woodstock	40.5 µg/L	No	1	B+
68	La Grange	39.2 µg/L	No	1	B+
69	Flintstone	37.0 µg/L	No	0	B
70	Marietta	36.6 µg/L	No	5	B+
71	Atlanta	36.0 µg/L	No	21	F
72	Jackson	36.0 µg/L	No	18	D
73	Loganville	35.5 µg/L	No	3	A
74	Smyrna	35.3 µg/L	No	0	B+
75	Dallas	34.4 µg/L	No	5	B
76	Union City	34.0 µg/L	No	12	B-
77	Decatur	33.3 µg/L	No	0	B+
78	Ringgold	33.0 µg/L	No	11	B-
79	Cumming	32.0 µg/L	No	30	F
80	Cedartown	32.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
81	Tallapoosa	32.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
82	Martinez	31.5 µg/L	No	3	B-
83	Covington	31.0 µg/L	No	20	F
84	Thomaston	31.0 µg/L	No	15	C+
85	Canton	30.0 µg/L	No	5	B
86	Buford	28.7 µg/L	No	0	B+
87	Jefferson	28.1 µg/L	No	8	C+
88	Gainesville	28.0 µg/L	No	3	C+
89	Forsyth	28.0 µg/L	No	16	C
90	Conyers	26.0 µg/L	No	14	D+
91	Monroe	25.3 µg/L	No	4	B
92	Douglasville	25.0 µg/L	No	0	A
93	Toccoa	22.1 µg/L	No	6	B+
94	Ellijay	19.0 µg/L	No	9	C+
95	Warner Robins	17.3 µg/L	No	7	B-
96	Kathleen	15.4 µg/L	No	0	A-
97	Dawsonville	15.2 µg/L	No	11	B-
98	Fort Valley	9.6 µg/L	No	0	A
99	Perry	9.1 µg/L	No	1	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in Georgia

Is strontium in Georgia tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. 1 cities in Georgia exceed this HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

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