Health Violations Found GA 13 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Attapulgus

EPA ID: GA0870000 · 750 people served · 4 ZIP codes

With 13 unresolved EPA violations, Attapulgus is currently out of full compliance — approximately 750 people in its service area.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 73
Avg Safety Score
750
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
13
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00125 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
1
Contaminants Flagged
$150K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 4 (2021) to 16 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Attapulgus Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$47,434
Median Household Income
15,306
Service Area Population
100%
Disadvantaged Population
80th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
59%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Attapulgus serves a community with a median household income of $47,434 and an estimated 15,306 residents across its service area. Approximately 59% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 100% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Attapulgus's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Decatur County, Georgia rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

45 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
25 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 64% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Attapulgus compares to EPA limits

Barium 13 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 2 mg/L

What This Means For You

Barium at 13 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 2 mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Georgia

Concord
751 people
B 0 violations
Uvalda
747 people
B 8 violations
0 violations
Waverly Hall
746 people
B 6 violations
Smithville
770 people
A 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $900
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,200

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Property Value Decline $7,500

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$8,750
10 years
$17,500
20 years
$35,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,200 (one-time) vs. $17,500 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Attapulgus (EPA ID: GA0870000) is a community water system in Georgia that serves approximately 750 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (73/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

13 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 13 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
October 1, 2024 Barium Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Barium Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2024 Barium Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Barium Health-based Unresolved
October 1, 2023 Barium Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Barium Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2023 Barium Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2023 Barium Health-based Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Barium Inorganic 13 Yes

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
39834 0.00125 mg/L No N/A

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 Filter

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

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 3 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Attapulgus (GA0870000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Attapulgus water safe to drink?

Attapulgus has recorded 13 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Attapulgus serve?

Attapulgus serves approximately 750 people across 4 ZIP codes in Georgia.

Where does Attapulgus get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
174
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
169
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 750
Reported to Georgia

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Attapulgus safe to drink?
Attapulgus earns a B safety grade with 13 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Attapulgus's water?
Detected contaminants include Barium. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Attapulgus serve?
Attapulgus serves approximately 750 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Attapulgus's water source?
Attapulgus draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Attapulgus's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00125 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Attapulgus's service area?
The Attapulgus service area has a median household income of $47,434. EPA EJScreen data classifies 100% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Attapulgus get its water?
Attapulgus's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Attapulgus (EPA ID: GA0870000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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