Decatur, GA: 9 Violations — 79/100 (2026)
9 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Decatur, safety indicators for tap water remain above the GA median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Decatur Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Decatur, GA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Decatur score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Decatur Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 9 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0055 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.73.
Who Supplies Your Water in Decatur
3 water systems are tracked federally in Decatur, GA. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 9 ZIP codes in Decatur, Georgia (population ~169,950), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 2,131,267 people region-wide.
9 of 9 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Decatur: B (79/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Decatur water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0055 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 9 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30030 | B | 1 | 0 | Dekalb County |
| 30031 | A | 1 | 0 | Dekalb County |
| 30032 | B | 1 | 0 | Dekalb County |
| 30033 | B | 1 | 0 | Dekalb County |
| 30034 | B | 1 | 0 | Dekalb County |
| 30035 | B | 1 | 0 | Dekalb County |
| 30036 | A | 1 | 0 | Dekalb County |
| 30037 | A | 1 | 0 | Dekalb County |
| 30073 | C | 1 | 0 | Dekalb County |
All ZIP Codes in Decatur
- 30030 [B] — 1 violation
- 30031 [A] — 1 violation
- 30032 [B] — 1 violation
- 30033 [B] — 1 violation
- 30034 [B] — 1 violation
- 30035 [B] — 1 violation
- 30036 [A] — 1 violation
- 30037 [A] — 1 violation
- 30073 [C] — 1 violation
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Decatur
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Decatur Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Decatur Homeowners
In Decatur, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Decatur are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 11% above the Georgia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Decatur
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 Decatur 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 Decatur
Across the multi-decade NFIP program, Decatur has logged 612 filed flood claims — a tally that corresponds with 67% of local ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. For water quality, the implications extend beyond property damage: when flooding reaches the magnitude this area's record implies, water supply systems face compounding stress. Treatment plants handling contaminated floodwater intake face sharply elevated contaminant loads. Private wells in low-lying FEMA zones are vulnerable to surface infiltration during each major event. Distribution networks can experience pressure-inversion backflow, drawing untreated water back into the supply. These are not remote possibilities at this exposure level.
Decatur has a significant flood history with 612 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $6,920 per claim. With 67% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,200</strong> remediation cost per household.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Decatur, GA