The systems supplying Atlanta vary in performance across GA benchmarks - most meet minimum federal standards, but documented violations in select areas are on record.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Atlanta

We track water quality and home safety data for 99 ZIP codes in Atlanta, Georgia (population ~1,038,385), covering 13 community water systems serving approximately 3,875,809 people region-wide.

99 of 99 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 396 total, including no health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (61/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L
• 51% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 13% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1983
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 35/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 15%
• 8 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 51% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Atlanta residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

512,212 total housing units across 99 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Atlanta:

• 4,203 flood insurance claims on record
• $135,323,916 total paid out
• $32,197 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
• 21 of 99 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 84 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 1 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Atlanta Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Atlanta has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

• Atlanta is in a high-risk radon area
• Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
• If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Atlanta

• 30301 [C] - 4 violations
• 30302 [C] - 4 violations
• 30303 [C] - 4 violations
• 30304 [C] - 4 violations
• 30305 [D] - 4 violations
• 30306 [B] - 4 violations
• 30307 [B] - 4 violations
• 30308 [D] - 4 violations
• 30309 [D] - 4 violations
• 30310 [C] - 4 violations
• 30311 [D] - 4 violations
• 30312 [C] - 4 violations
• 30313 [C] - 4 violations
• 30314 [C] - 4 violations
• 30315 [D] - 4 violations
• 30316 [B] - 4 violations
• 30317 [B] - 4 violations
• 30318 [D] - 4 violations
• 30319 [B] - 4 violations
• 30320 [C] - 4 violations
• 30321 [C] - 4 violations
• 30322 [B] - 4 violations
• 30324 [D] - 4 violations
• 30325 [C] - 4 violations
• 30326 [C] - 4 violations
• 30327 [D] - 4 violations
• 30328 [D] - 4 violations
• 30329 [B] - 4 violations
• 30330 [C] - 4 violations
• 30331 [D] - 4 violations
• 30332 [C] - 4 violations
• 30333 [C] - 4 violations
• 30334 [C] - 4 violations
• 30336 [C] - 4 violations
• 30337 [D] - 4 violations
• 30338 [B] - 4 violations
• 30339 [D] - 4 violations
• 30340 [B] - 4 violations
• 30341 [B] - 4 violations
• 30342 [D] - 4 violations
• 30343 [C] - 4 violations
• 30344 [D] - 4 violations
• 30345 [B] - 4 violations
• 30346 [B] - 4 violations
• 30348 [C] - 4 violations
• 30349 [D] - 4 violations
• 30350 [D] - 4 violations
• 30353 [C] - 4 violations
• 30354 [C] - 4 violations
• 30355 [C] - 4 violations
• 30356 [C] - 4 violations
• 30357 [C] - 4 violations
• 30358 [C] - 4 violations
• 30359 [C] - 4 violations
• 30360 [B] - 4 violations
• 30361 [C] - 4 violations
• 30362 [C] - 4 violations
• 30363 [C] - 4 violations
• 30364 [C] - 4 violations
• 30366 [C] - 4 violations
• 30368 [C] - 4 violations
• 30369 [C] - 4 violations
• 30370 [C] - 4 violations
• 30371 [C] - 4 violations
• 30374 [C] - 4 violations
• 30375 [C] - 4 violations
• 30376 [C] - 4 violations
• 30377 [C] - 4 violations
• 30378 [C] - 4 violations
• 30380 [C] - 4 violations
• 30384 [C] - 4 violations
• 30385 [C] - 4 violations
• 30386 [B] - 4 violations
• 30387 [C] - 4 violations
• 30388 [C] - 4 violations
• 30392 [C] - 4 violations
• 30394 [C] - 4 violations
• 30396 [C] - 4 violations
• 30398 [C] - 4 violations
• 31106 [C] - 4 violations
• 31107 [B] - 4 violations
• 31119 [C] - 4 violations
• 31120 [C] - 4 violations
• 31126 [C] - 4 violations
• 31131 [C] - 4 violations
• 31136 [C] - 4 violations
• 31139 [C] - 4 violations
• 31141 [C] - 4 violations
• 31145 [C] - 4 violations
• 31146 [C] - 4 violations
• 31150 [C] - 4 violations
• 31156 [C] - 4 violations
• 31192 [C] - 4 violations
• 31193 [C] - 4 violations
• 31195 [C] - 4 violations
• 31196 [C] - 4 violations
• 31198 [C] - 4 violations
• 31199 [C] - 4 violations
• 39901 [C] - 4 violations

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Atlanta, GA?

Atlanta has an average Home Safety Score of 61/100 (grade C) across 99 ZIP codes. There are 396 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Atlanta have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Atlanta is 0.0014 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 51% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Atlanta at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 4,203 flood insurance claims in Atlanta ZIP codes, with an average payout of $32,197. 21 of 99 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Atlanta homes?

51% of Atlanta housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 13% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 15%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Atlanta water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule. Across 99 ZIP codes, 99 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Compared to many older metro areas, Atlanta carries a relatively newer housing profile - the median build year of 1983 places most of the stock in the post-1986 era when lead solder was federally banned from new plumbing. That shift meaningfully reduces the baseline likelihood of lead leaching from copper joint solder. Homes from before 1986 do still exist in the mix, however, and individual testing remains the only way to confirm what a specific tap actually delivers.

1983

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Atlanta were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Atlanta

0.0014

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Lead risk in Atlanta appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Flood & Climate Risk in Atlanta

Within the NFIP's national dataset, Atlanta falls in moderate-exposure territory - 4203 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 0% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.

4,203

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~210

Est. Claims/Year

Atlanta has a moderate flood history with 4,203 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.

How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure.

Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones - over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.

Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.