Monitoring Issues SCHOOL DISTRICT PFAS DETECTED

PFAS Detected in Atlanta School District (GA)

99 ZIP codes · 13 water systems · 105,935,156 people served · Updated 2026-06-04

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-06-04

C · 61
Avg Safety Score
99
ZIP Codes
13
Water Systems
396
Violations (5yr)
0.0014 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
31
ZIPs with PFAS
Zone 1
Radon Risk

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Water Quality Overview

The Atlanta School District in Georgia spans 99 ZIP codes served by 13 community water systems, providing water to approximately 105,935,156 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is C (61/100) — with the lowest-scoring area at 49/100 .

Water quality in this district falls in the bottom 67% nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure — Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") — Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate — Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts — Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0014 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0014 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 99 —

PFAS Contamination

PFAS ("forever chemicals") detected in 31 of 99 ZIP codes in this district.

Detected compounds: PFBA, PFPeA, PFBS, PFHxA, PFOA, PFOS, PFHpA.

Highest measured level: 0.014 µg/L.

PFAS can accumulate in the body over time. Children's higher water intake relative to body weight makes them particularly susceptible. Reverse osmosis filters (NSF/ANSI 58) are the most effective at removing PFAS.

Learn more about PFAS in drinking water →

EPA Violation History

396 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 297 No 99
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 99 No 99

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High risk)

84 of 99 ZIP codes are in the highest radon risk zone. Radon is the #2 cause of lung cancer in the U.S. — homes and school buildings in Zone 1 should be tested.

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
30301 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30302 Atlanta C (64) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30303 Atlanta C (64) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30304 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30305 Atlanta D (49) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30306 Atlanta B (71) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30307 Atlanta B (76) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30308 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30309 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30310 Atlanta C (59) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30311 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30312 Atlanta C (59) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30313 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30314 Atlanta C (59) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30315 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30316 Atlanta B (76) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30317 Atlanta B (76) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30318 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30319 Atlanta B (71) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30320 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30321 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30322 Atlanta B (81) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30324 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30325 Atlanta C (64) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30326 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30327 Atlanta D (49) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30328 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30329 Atlanta B (71) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30330 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30331 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30332 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30333 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30334 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30336 Atlanta C (64) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30337 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30338 Atlanta B (71) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30339 Atlanta D (49) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30340 Atlanta B (71) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30341 Atlanta B (71) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30342 Atlanta D (49) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30343 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30344 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30345 Atlanta B (71) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30346 Atlanta B (82) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30348 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30349 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30350 Atlanta D (54) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30353 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30354 Atlanta C (59) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30355 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30356 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30357 Atlanta C (64) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30358 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30359 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30360 Atlanta B (76) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30361 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30362 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30363 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30364 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30366 Atlanta C (64) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30368 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30369 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30370 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30371 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30374 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30375 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30376 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30377 Atlanta C (64) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30378 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30380 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30384 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30385 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30386 Atlanta B (77) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30387 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30388 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30392 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30394 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30396 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
30398 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31106 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31107 Atlanta B (81) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31119 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31120 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31126 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31131 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31136 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31139 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31141 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31145 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31146 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31150 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31156 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31192 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31193 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31195 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31196 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31198 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
31199 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No
39901 Atlanta C (60) 4 0 0.0014 mg/L No

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school — The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Test your home's water — Especially if your home has older plumbing (pre-1986) that may contain lead solder or lead pipes.
  4. Address PFAS — If PFAS are detected in your area, a reverse osmosis or activated carbon block filter rated NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 can reduce levels significantly.
  5. Pack water from home — If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  6. Stay informed — Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in Atlanta School District schools?

Based on EPA data, water systems serving Atlanta School District have no health-based violations in the past 5 years. However, school buildings with older plumbing may still have localized issues. Testing at the tap (not just at the treatment plant) is important.

Does Atlanta School District test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Are there PFAS in Atlanta School District water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in 31 of 99 ZIP codes served by this district. PFAS are "forever chemicals" that do not break down and can accumulate in the body. The EPA has set maximum contaminant levels for certain PFAS compounds. Reverse osmosis filters are the most effective at removing PFAS from drinking water.

Data Sources

Updated daily.

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