Columbia County
EPA ID: GA0730000 · 124,763 people served · 6 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Columbia County (GA0730000): 3 past health-based violations, since resolved. 3 total violations across five years at Columbia County - every finding closed, utility compliant today, 124,763 served.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Columbia County Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The Columbia County serves a community with a median household income of $83,620 and an estimated 213,340 residents across its service area.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Columbia County's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Columbia County compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 12 detections recorded. 3 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 2 exceed state limits.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Georgia
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Columbia County (EPA ID: GA0730000) is a community water system in Georgia that serves approximately 124,763 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 6 ZIP codes across 5 communities.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 3 resolved, 0 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0032 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by GA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Columbia County (GA0730000) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia County water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Columbia County; its 3 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Columbia County serve?
Columbia County serves approximately 124,763 people across 6 ZIP codes in Georgia.
Where does Columbia County get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
- #51 / 100 Highest Exposure Burden (U.S.)
- #2 / 50 Highest Exposure Burden (Georgia)
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Columbia County (GA): 3 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ga0730000/
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title = {{Columbia County (GA): 3 Health Violations}},
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url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ga0730000/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Columbia County (EPA ID: GA0730000) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.