Arsenic in Drinking Water in Georgia
What residents of Georgia need to know about arsenic in drinking water — including natural geological sources, private well risk, which utilities have documented violations, and how to remove arsenic from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, USGS · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is arsenic in drinking water a concern in Georgia?
Arsenic is a moderate concern in Georgia, particularly in the Piedmont region of northern and central Georgia where crystalline bedrock and saprolite weathering can contribute naturally occurring arsenic to groundwater. The Blue Ridge Mountains in northeast Georgia and areas with gold mining history (Georgia was the site of America's first gold rush) also have elevated arsenic occurrence.
Where does arsenic come from in Georgia's water?
Naturally occurring arsenic from the weathering of crystalline Piedmont bedrock — granites, gneisses, and schists — is the primary pathway in Georgia. Private wells in the Piedmont region, which spans most of northern and central Georgia, are the primary exposure route. Georgia's historic gold mining district in the northeast (Dahlonega area) adds legacy arsenic from mining activity.
What should Georgia residents know?
Private well owners in Georgia's Piedmont counties — Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Pickens, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, and surrounding areas — face the highest arsenic risk. Georgia EPD monitors public water systems, but private well owners in these geological areas should test independently. Georgia's growing exurban and rural residential development in the Piedmont increases the population of private well users at risk.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL | 10 µg/L (10 ppb) |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary source | Weathered crystalline Piedmont bedrock (granite, gneiss, schist); legacy gold mining in northeast Georgia |
| High-risk area | Georgia Piedmont — broad belt of northern/central Georgia from Alabama to South Carolina border |
| State regulator | Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) |
| Health effects | Bladder, lung, skin cancer; cardiovascular; diabetes risk |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) or activated alumina |
Why Arsenic Matters in Georgia
Georgia's Piedmont geology creates conditions for arsenic occurrence in private well water across a broad swath of the state from the Alabama border to South Carolina. As Atlanta's suburbs have expanded into the Piedmont foothills, an increasing number of suburban and rural residents rely on private wells in arsenic-bearing geology. Historic gold mining in the Dahlonega area adds legacy arsenic that can affect wells in Union, Lumpkin, and White counties. Georgia EPD has provided guidance on private well testing but does not regulate private wells.
Georgia Arsenic Program
Georgia EPD monitors arsenic under federal SDWIS. Northern Georgia's crystalline Piedmont geology can produce elevated arsenic in private wells, but arsenic is generally a lower concern than in New England or Southwest states. Private well owners in the Piedmont region should include arsenic in their testing panel.
Georgia Utilities With Arsenic Violation Records
The utilities listed below have at least one arsenic violation on record in EPA's SDWIS database. Violations may be open or resolved — see individual utility pages for current status and risk level.
Albany
Albany · 101,245 served
Rockdale Co. Water System
Conyers · 87,156 served
Griffin
Griffin · 23,643 served
Harris County Water System
Cataula · 22,922 served
Thomson-mcduffie Co W&s Comm
Thomson · 21,312 served
Braselton
Georgia · 20,469 served
Lee County Utilities Authority
Leesburg · 20,194 served
Notla Water Authority
Georgia · 16,518 served
Villa Rica
Villa Rica · 15,667 served
Reynolds Plantation
Georgia · 13,500 served
How Does Arsenic Get Into Drinking Water?
Arsenic in drinking water is almost always naturally occurring — it leaches from arsenic-bearing rocks and minerals into groundwater over time. New England granite, Southwest volcanic geology, and Upper Midwest glacial aquifers are the primary high-risk formations. It has no taste, odor, or color.
Full arsenic overview — geology maps, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Piedmont counties in northern and central Georgia — particularly Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Dawson, Pickens, Lumpkin, White, and adjacent counties — have the highest documented arsenic occurrence in private wells. The historic gold mining district of northeast Georgia (Union, Towns, Fannin, Gilmer counties) faces additional mining-related arsenic.
Private well owners near mining districts or agricultural areas
Residents in states with documented volcanic or geothermal geology
Long-term consumers of water from small groundwater systems
Households in homes built before 1960 with older well casings
Residents whose well water has never been tested for arsenic
Anyone living in a state where bedrock wells are common
How to Check Your Situation in Georgia
- 1
Identify your water source. If you use a public utility, use the ZIP lookup on this page to find your system and check its compliance record.
- 2
If on public water, review your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic monitoring data. The MCL is 10 ppb — your report should show recent test results.
- 3
If on a private well, order an arsenic test from a Georgia Environmental Protection Division-certified laboratory. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40. The state agency website maintains a certified lab list.
- 4
Test your well at the tap — not just at the wellhead. The entire water distribution system within your home can affect water quality.
- 5
If your test shows arsenic above 5 ppb, install certified treatment immediately. If above 10 ppb, do not use the water for drinking or cooking until treatment is installed.
- 6
Retest after installing treatment to confirm it is working as certified. Replace filter media on the manufacturer's schedule — an exhausted filter may not perform as rated.
Treatment Options for Arsenic
Boiling does not remove arsenic — it concentrates it. Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, etc.) do not effectively remove arsenic. Certified treatment is required.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58 — Reverse Osmosis
RO systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 remove 85–95% of arsenic. Under-sink installation. Most effective for removing multiple contaminants simultaneously. Replace membranes and pre-filters on schedule.
Activated Alumina Filters
Activated alumina is specifically designed for arsenic and fluoride removal. Point-of-use or whole-house options available. Must be certified by NSF International or WQA for arsenic reduction. Requires periodic media regeneration or replacement.
Iron/Manganese Oxidation Filters
Effective for arsenic in iron-rich well water, which is common in the Midwest and New England. Oxidation converts dissolved iron and arsenic to a form that can be filtered out. Best when arsenic is co-occurring with high iron levels.
What does NOT work for arsenic
Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, refrigerator filters, most pitcher filters) do NOT effectively remove arsenic. Boiling concentrates arsenic. Water softeners do not remove arsenic. Only use products with NSF certification specifically for arsenic reduction.
Take Action Now
If you use a private well in Georgia, test for arsenic — especially if you are in a region with granite, volcanic, or sedimentary geology. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40 at a state-certified lab.
Public water users: check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic results. The EPA MCL is 10 ppb — any detection warrants attention.
If arsenic is detected above 10 ppb (or even below it, given MCLG is zero), install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system for drinking and cooking water.
Standard carbon filters do NOT remove arsenic — do not rely on a Brita or refrigerator filter for arsenic protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Arsenic — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with arsenic records
Georgia State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Georgia Well Water Guide
Testing, risks & certified labs for private wells
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 85–95% of arsenic
Best Arsenic Filter Guide
What actually works (carbon doesn't)
PFAS in Drinking Water
The 'forever chemical' contamination overview
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Find Your Utility
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Georgia Environmental Protection Division ↗