State Well Water Guide
Georgia Private Well Water Guide
About 2.8 million Georgians — 28% of the population — rely on private wells, with the highest rates in rural north Georgia mountains, the agricultural southeast, and suburban fringe communities. North Georgia's crystalline metamorphic and igneous rocks contain naturally elevated arsenic. The Dougherty Plain's karst limestone aquifer in southwest Georgia is highly vulnerable to agricultural and bacterial contamination. Coastal plain aquifers in south Georgia have naturally elevated iron, manganese, and occasionally radium. EPD regulates well construction but does not require periodic testing.
Testing Guidance
Georgia EPD recommends annual testing for coliform bacteria and nitrates. North Georgia mountainous county well owners should test for arsenic. Southwest Georgia karst aquifer well owners should test for bacteria, nitrates, and agricultural chemicals year-round given the rapid recharge pathways. South Georgia coastal plain well owners should test for iron, manganese, and radium.
What to Test For in Georgia
Total coliform bacteria and E. coli — annual minimum
Arsenic — north Georgia metamorphic and igneous rock wells (Blue Ridge, Piedmont)
Nitrates — southwest Georgia agricultural areas, Dougherty Plain
Iron and manganese — south Georgia coastal plain aquifers
PFAS — near Robins AFB, Moody AFB, Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart, and Dobbins ARB
Radium — some south Georgia coastal plain wells
Agricultural chemicals and herbicides — southwest Georgia karst aquifer areas near row crops
Common Contamination Risks in Georgia
Arsenic from crystalline rock — north Georgia's metamorphic geology releases natural arsenic into bedrock wells in multiple mountain counties
Karst vulnerability in southwest Georgia — the Dougherty Plain's limestone aquifer has minimal natural filtration, making it extremely susceptible to agricultural contamination
Iron and manganese in south Georgia — coastal plain sediments produce naturally elevated iron and manganese throughout the coastal plain counties
PFAS from military installations — Robins AFB, Moody AFB, Fort Stewart, and Fort Gordon all have AFFF histories
Agricultural contamination in the coastal plain — southwest Georgia's intensive peanut, cotton, and pecan operations contribute to pesticide and nitrate groundwater loading
Contaminant Guides Relevant to GA Wells
PFAS
Synthetic Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 ppt
Lead
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 15 ppb (action level)
Nitrates
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 10 mg/L
DBPs
Disinfection Byproducts
EPA limit: 80 µg/L (TTHMs) / 60 µg/L (HAA5)
Arsenic
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 10 ppb
Hard Water
Minerals
EPA limit: No federal limit
Chlorine
Disinfection Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL)
Microplastics
Emerging Contaminants
EPA limit: No federal limit
Bacteria
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero E. coli / < 1 coliform per 100 mL
Fluoride
Minerals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MCL) / 2 mg/L (Secondary MCL)
Chromium-6
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 100 ppb (total chromium)
Copper
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 1.3 mg/L (action level)
Radon
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: No finalized MCL
Iron & Manganese
Minerals
EPA limit: 0.3 mg/L iron / 0.05 mg/L manganese (aesthetic SMCLs)
Atrazine
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 3 ppb (0.003 mg/L)
Uranium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 30 µg/L (30 ppb)
Perchlorate
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: 0.056 mg/L (56 ppb)
VOCs
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: Varies by compound: benzene 5 ppb; TCE 5 ppb; PCE 5 ppb; vinyl chloride 2 ppb
Radium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228)
Crypto & Giardia
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero (treatment technique standard)
Hydrogen Sulfide
Naturally Occurring Compounds
EPA limit: No MCL; Secondary MCL (aesthetic) of 0.05 mg/L
Selenium
Minerals
EPA limit: 50 ppb (0.05 mg/L)
Cadmium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 5 ppb (0.005 mg/L)
Mercury
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 ppb (0.002 mg/L)
Barium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Find a Certified Lab in Georgia
Use the Georgia state-certified laboratory program to find accredited labs for private well testing. Always verify current certification before submitting samples.
GA Certified Lab Directory ↗Georgia Well Water FAQs
Related Pages
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Quick Reference
State program
GA Certified Labs ↗EPA guidance
EPA Private Wells Program ↗State lab directory
GA Certified Labs ↗Minimum Annual Tests
Plus state-specific contaminants listed above
Other State Guides