Drinking water quality · 2024
What's in Augusta, GA tap water
28 contaminants were measured in the Augusta, GA water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 2 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 28
- Over federal limit
- 2
- Approaching the limit
- 2
- Worst contaminant
- PFOS
- Service area
- GA
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 9.4 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | At or above the limit |
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 4.4 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | At or above the limit |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 8.6 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Approaching the limit |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.9 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 1.3 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.8 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.5 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 49.32 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Approaching the limit |
+By source (3)— Highland Plant, Hicks Plant, Groundwater Plants
| |||
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 47.5 ug/LAverageHighland Plant | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Highland Plant, Hicks Plant, Groundwater Plants
| |||
| Bromodichloroacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 2.07 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1.95 mg/LAverageHighland Plant | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Highland Plant, Groundwater Plants, Hicks Plant
| |||
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dichloroacetic acidA haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 21.79 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Trichloroacetic acidA haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 21.33 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.8 mg/LAverageHicks Plant | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Hicks Plant, Groundwater Plants, Highland Plant
| |||
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.71 mg/LAverageGroundwater Plants | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Groundwater Plants, Highland Plant, Hicks Plant
| |||
| Bromochloroacetic acidA mixed-halogen haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 2.19 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Monobromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.4 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Chlorodibromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.12 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Dibromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.03 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.3 NTUAverageHighland Plant | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Highland Plant, Hicks Plant
| |||
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 1.6 mg/LAverageHighland Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Highland Plant, Hicks Plant
| |||
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.2 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 1.6 ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | None set | Within the limit |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 4.84 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 11 mg/LAverageHicks Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Hicks Plant, Highland Plant, Groundwater Plants
| |||
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 0AverageGroundwater Plants | None set | None detected |
+By source (3)— Groundwater Plants, Highland Plant, Hicks Plant
| |||
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0AverageGroundwater Plants | None set | None detected |
+By source (3)— Groundwater Plants, Highland Plant, Hicks Plant
| |||
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcaa | 1.29 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Augusta, GA's water
+Is Augusta, GA tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Augusta, GA water utility lists 2 contaminants at or above the federal limit: PFOS and PFOA. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Augusta, GA tap water?
28 contaminants were measured in Augusta, GA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning inorganic chemicals, pfas ("forever chemicals"), and metals. 4 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Augusta, GA tap water?
2 contaminants in Augusta, GA's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: PFOS (2.4× the limit); PFOA (1.1× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Augusta, GA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is PFOS, at 2.4× the federal threshold. It belongs to the pfas ("forever chemicals") family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Augusta, GA tap water approaching the federal limit?
2 contaminants are between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid and HAA5. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Augusta, GA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Augusta, GA's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.