Water system

Chattooga County

Name: Chattooga County drinking water quality
Creator: TapWaterZip
License: https://www.usa.gov/government-works

Georgia EPA ID GA0550000 9,190 people Groundwater

What this means for you

Is it safe to drink right now?: Based on the latest EPA data, Chattooga County has no unresolved health-based violations from the past year. Water that meets federal standards is generally considered safe to drink for most healthy people.
Should I use a filter?: Yes, we recommend considering one. Average PFOS and PFOA was above the 4 ppt federal limit (compliance deadline April 2029).
What kind of filter?: For PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 53 (with an explicit PFOA/PFOS or total PFAS claim) or NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis. See matched standards and product picks.

This is general information from public EPA data, not medical advice. Lead often comes from a home’s own pipes, so only a test of your tap can tell your exposure. If you are pregnant, caring for an infant, or have a weakened immune system, ask your doctor or health department.

Summary: No health-based violations in the last 5 years; 3 monitoring/reporting violations; 1 not yet resolved; PFOA/PFOS average above the 4 ppt federal limit: PFOS, PFOA; Lead 90th percentile below the action level (2025).

EPA data snapshot 2026Q3. Grade is TapWaterZip's own score — see methods.

PFAS (“forever chemicals”), EPA UCMR 5

Chemical	Highest location average	Highest single sample	Federal limit	Detections/samples
PFOS	6.5 ppt	6.5 ppt	4 ppt	8/14
PFHpA	7.3 ppt	7.9 ppt	none	4/14
PFPeA	15.9 ppt	17 ppt	none	6/14
PFBS	129.2 ppt	150 ppt	none	10/14
PFHxA	12.8 ppt	14 ppt	none	4/14
PFOA	18.1 ppt	20 ppt	4 ppt	6/14
PFBA	6.8 ppt	7.3 ppt	none	2/14

3 PFAS tested and not detected

PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (14 samples each, below EPA minimum reporting levels).

Hazard Index (PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, PFBS): 0.06 (limit 1.0, proposed for repeal).

Averages are per sampling location across UCMR 5 samples (non-detects counted as 0), approximating the rule’s running annual average. Not an official compliance determination; PFOA/PFOS MCL compliance begins April 26, 2029.

Lead and copper

Lead 90th percentile1.5 ppb2025-12-31

Current action level15 ppbLCRI lowers to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027

Violations (last 5 years)

Began	Type	Contaminant / rule	Status
2025-07-02	Reporting problem	LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS	Resolved
2024-11-21	Missed or late testing/reporting	E. COLI	Unaddressed
2023-10-01	Other paperwork/notice violation	Consumer Confidence Rule	Resolved

Filters matched to this water

FILTER PICKS

Look for filters certified (NSF, IAPMO or WQA) to these standards for the specific contaminant. Buttons open the maker’s page or an Amazon search; use “Check NSF listing” to verify a model’s claims. No affiliate links yet — grades are never sold.