Is Georgia Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 25 cities across Georgia. Find your city below.
Water quality in Georgia varies significantly from city to city. Across 25 cities we track, hardness ranges from 15 PPM in Columbus West to 57 PPM in Sandy Springs, with a statewide average of 33 PPM. Most cities in Georgia have relatively soft water, so a softener is generally unnecessary.
4 Georgia cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Augusta (101.53 ppt), Valdosta (25.9 ppt), Columbus (49.08 ppt), Columbus West (49.08 ppt). A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
Complete Georgia Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in Georgia
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
Georgia cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Comparisons
Sandy Springs vs Columbus West
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Sandy Springs vs Augusta
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Augusta vs Valdosta
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Georgia Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Springs | 57 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Chattahoochee River |
| Augusta | 46 | Slightly Hard | 101.53 | Savannah River |
| Valdosta | 42 | Slightly Hard | 25.9 | Floridan Aquifer |
| Macon | 40 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Ocmulgee River, Javors Lucas Lake |
| Warner Robins | 38 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Ocmulgee River & wells |
| Athens | 37 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Bear Creek Reservoir, North Oconee River |
| Roswell | 37 | Slightly Hard | 13.58 | Chattahoochee River |
| Alpharetta | 37 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Chattahoochee River |
| Savannah | 36 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Floridan Aquifer deep wells |
| Johns Creek | 35 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Chattahoochee River |
| Smyrna | 35 | Slightly Hard | 7.7 | Chattahoochee River |
| Perry | 35 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Groundwater |
| Brookhaven | 34 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Chattahoochee River |
| Marietta | 33 | Slightly Hard | 8 | Allatoona Lake |
| Columbus | 32 | Slightly Hard | 49.08 | Chattahoochee River |
| Atlanta | 30 | Slightly Hard | 18.86 | Chattahoochee River |
| Peachtree City | 30 | Slightly Hard | 15.27 | Flint River |
| Suwanee | 30 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Chattahoochee River |
| Lawrenceville | 30 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Chattahoochee River |
| Duluth | 28 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Chattahoochee River |
| Kennesaw | 25 | Slightly Hard | 13.28 | Chattahoochee River |
| Buckhead | 22 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Chattahoochee River |
| Atlanta Downtown | 20 | Slightly Hard | 18.86 | Chattahoochee River |
| Gainesville | 15 | Soft | 0 | Lake Lanier |
| Columbus West | 15 | Soft | 49.08 | Chattahoochee River |