Marion County Water System
EPA ID: GA1970003 · 5,875 people served · 1 ZIP code
The EPA enforcement database lists 9 active violations for Marion County Water System — a provider that delivers drinking water to approximately 5,875 people and has not yet formally resolved those findings.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 2 (2021) to 3 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Marion County Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Marion County Water System serves a community with a median household income of $45,646 and an estimated 4,550 residents across its service area. Approximately 46% 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?
Marion County Water System'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.
About 1% of homes in Marion 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
Detected Contaminants
How Marion County Water System compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead and Copper Rule at 12 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
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
Marion County Water System (EPA ID: GA1970003) is a community water system in Georgia that serves approximately 5,875 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 31803 in Buena Vista.
Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Gross Beta | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Gross Beta | Health-based | Unresolved |
| February 21, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 24, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Gross Beta | Health-based | Unresolved |
| November 16, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Gross Beta | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Gross Beta | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Gross Beta | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Gross Beta | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Gross Beta | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 2, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 15 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 12 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31803 | 0.0011 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 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.
- 31803 — Buena Vista
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Marion County Water System (GA1970003) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marion County Water System water safe to drink?
Marion County Water System has recorded 11 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 Marion County Water System serve?
Marion County Water System serves approximately 5,875 people across 1 ZIP code in Georgia.
Where does Marion County Water System get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
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 →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
Marion County Water System (EPA ID: GA1970003) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.