CITY REPORT GA 17 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Atlanta, GA: 17 Health Violations - 63/100

99 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Atlanta: C.

A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.

Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (17 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →

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

99
ZIP Codes
11
Water Systems
40
ZIPs with Violations
C · 63
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)

What You Should Know About Atlanta Water

  • Your city's water systems recorded 119 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0037 mg/L.

Water Quality in Atlanta

We track home safety signals for 99 ZIP codes in Atlanta, Georgia. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 40 ZIP codes and 11 water systems.

40 of 40 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 119 total, including 17 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (63/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 88 40
E. coli Microbiological 8 8
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 5 1
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 5 1
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 3 3

Lead Risk

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0037 mg/L
  • 0 of 40 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 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:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 35,765 7%
1940–1949 19,695 4%
1950–1959 44,905 9%
1960–1969 60,442 12%
1970–1979 62,642 12%
1980–1989 60,176 12%
1990–1999 60,498 12%
2000–2009 98,849 19%
2010–2019 65,043 13%
2020+ 4,197 1%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Atlanta:

  • 4,210 flood insurance claims on record
  • $136,544,470 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 3,397 claims with payment data
  • 813 claims without reported payment fields
  • $40,196 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: AE (A/V-family)
  • 21 of 39 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone among 85 ZIP records with zone data: 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

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
30303 66/100 C 2
30305 66/100 C 1
30308 66/100 C 2
30309 66/100 C 2
30312 66/100 C 2
30313 66/100 C 2
30314 66/100 C 1
30318 66/100 C 1
30324 66/100 C 2
30326 66/100 C 1

Areas Needing Attention

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
30344 41/100 D 11
30354 47/100 D 5
30349 50/100 D 30
30337 59/100 C 10
30315 64/100 C 5
30331 65/100 C 4
30311 65/100 C 4
30310 65/100 C 4
30363 66/100 C 1
30350 66/100 C 2

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

All ZIP Codes in Atlanta

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Atlanta has an average score of 63/100 (grade C) across 25 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 119 recorded EPA violations across 40 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 17 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Atlanta have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Atlanta is 0.0037 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 40 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 51% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Atlanta at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 4,210 flood insurance claim records in Atlanta ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $40,196 among 3,397 claims with payment data. 813 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 39 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 21 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

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 Surface Water Treatment Rule, E. coli, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM). Across 40 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 40 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Housing & Infrastructure in Atlanta

1983
Median Build Year
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

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

0.0037
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.

Historical NFIP Claim Context in Atlanta

4,210
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$40,196
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
54%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Atlanta contains 4,210 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $40,196. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 54% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

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.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

What You Can Do in Atlanta

  1. Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
  2. Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Atlanta, GA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Atlanta, GA?
Atlanta has an average Home Safety Score of 63/100 (Grade C) under model 4.0.0. The score combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AQI, and is published only when all required domains are observed. 119 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many water violations does Atlanta have?
Atlanta water systems have a total of 119 EPA violations, including 17 health-based violations. Violations are tracked across 99 ZIP codes.
Does Atlanta water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Atlanta is 0.0037 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Atlanta?
Atlanta is served by 11 public water systems across 99 ZIP codes, serving approximately 1,038,385 people.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Atlanta, GA: 17 Health Violations - 63/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ga/atlanta/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ga-atlanta,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Atlanta, GA: 17 Health Violations - 63/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ga/atlanta/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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