Dry Branch, GA Water Safety: 99/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to statewide averages in GA, Dry Branch scores well — health violations are below the norm and systems generally operate within federal standards.
How Dry Branch Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Dry Branch Water
- Average lead level: 0.0005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 61% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 16.59 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Dry Branch
Water delivery in Dry Branch, GA is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 5 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Dry Branch, Georgia (population ~1,957), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 144,881 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Dry Branch — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Dry Branch: A (99/100)
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
Dry Branch water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0005 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31020 | A | MACON WATER AUTHORITY | 130,024 |
All ZIP Codes in Dry Branch
- 31020 [A]
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 Dry Branch
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Dry Branch
With 61% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Dry Branch's median build year of 1988 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Dry Branch were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Dry Branch
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 61% pre-rule share in Dry Branch keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Dry Branch, GA