Is It Safe To Drink Tap Water in Atlanta?

If you live in Atlanta or you’re just visiting, you’ve probably wondered: Is Atlanta tap water safe to drink? In most situations, yes — tap water in Atlanta is generally considered safe to drink and is treated to meet federal and state drinking water standards. That said, there are a few local factors, older buildings, and taste issues that are worth understanding before you fill your glass.

This guide walks you through how Atlanta’s tap water works, what affects water quality neighborhood by neighborhood, and practical steps you can take at home or while traveling.

How Atlanta’s Tap Water System Works

Where Atlanta’s Drinking Water Comes From

Most of Atlanta’s tap water is drawn from surface water sources, primarily:

• Chattahoochee River
• Lake Lanier (upstream reservoir feeding the river)

The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management treats this water at major facilities such as:

• Hemphill Water Treatment Plant
• Chattahoochee Water Treatment Plant

At these plants, water typically goes through:

1. Screening and settling to remove large particles
2. Filtration to remove smaller particles
3. Disinfection (usually with chlorine-based products) to kill or inactivate microbes

The treated water is then distributed through a network of pipes to homes, businesses, hotels, and public buildings across Atlanta.

Is Atlanta Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Overall Safety

Atlanta’s public water system is regulated under federal and Georgia state drinking water rules. The city is required to:

• Test the water regularly for microbes, chemicals, and metals
• Maintain disinfection levels throughout the system
• Provide annual water quality reports to residents

Under normal conditions, tap water delivered by the City of Atlanta meets required safety standards at the treatment plant and in the main distribution system.

However, water quality at your tap can still be affected by your building’s plumbing, especially in:

• Older homes and apartment buildings
• Buildings with outdated or corroded pipes
• Properties that have been vacant or poorly maintained

So while the city’s water is treated to be safe, conditions inside your home or building can sometimes change the picture.

Common Concerns About Atlanta Tap Water

1. Taste and Smell

Many people in Atlanta notice that tap water can sometimes taste or smell:

• “Chlorine-like” or chemical
• Musty or earthy, especially at certain times of year
• Metallic, particularly in older buildings

These issues are usually related to:

• Chlorine or chloramine used for disinfection
• Seasonal changes in the Chattahoochee River or Lake Lanier (like algae growth)
• Old plumbing materials inside buildings

In most cases, this is a cosmetic issue, not a safety problem. Still, if water suddenly smells very unusual (like fuel, solvents, or strong chemicals), it’s reasonable to avoid drinking it and contact the city.

2. Lead and Older Buildings

Like other older U.S. cities, parts of Atlanta have aging water infrastructure. Even when water leaves the treatment plant without significant lead, it can pick up lead from:

• Old lead service lines (pipes running from the street to the house)
• Lead solder used on copper pipes, especially in homes built before the late 1980s
• Some older brass faucets and fixtures

Lead is a particular concern for:

• Households in older intown neighborhoods (for example, portions of Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West End, and other historic areas)
• Pre-1980 homes and multi-unit buildings with original plumbing

Because lead has no safe level of exposure, many Atlanta residents choose to:

• Flush taps before using water for drinking or cooking
• Use a certified filter designed to reduce lead
• Test their tap water if they live in an older home or have concerns

3. Temporary Water Advisories and Boil Notices

Atlanta occasionally experiences:

• Water main breaks
• Heavy storms or flooding
• Power outages affecting treatment plants

In these cases, the City of Atlanta or Fulton/DeKalb County may issue:

• Boil water advisories (boil tap water before drinking or using for cooking)
• Do not drink or do not use notices (in rare, more severe situations)

When these occur, they’re typically:

• Announced through local news, city channels, and sometimes emergency alerts
• Focused on specific neighborhoods or service areas

If you’re visiting and see local coverage of a water issue, follow any official guidance before drinking tap water.

What to Expect by Situation

Quick Reference: Can I Drink Tap Water in Atlanta?

Practical Tips for Safely Using Atlanta Tap Water

Everyday Tips at Home

If you’re using Atlanta tap water for drinking and cooking:

• Run the tap
  Let cold water run 30–60 seconds if the tap hasn’t been used for several hours, especially in older homes. This can help clear water that has been sitting in pipes.

• Use cold water for cooking and drinking
  Hot water can pull more metals from household pipes. If you need hot water, use cold tap water and heat it on the stove.

• Check for discoloration
  If water looks brown, yellow, or cloudy, avoid drinking it and run the tap until it clears. If it doesn’t improve, contact the Department of Watershed Management.

• Mind the ice
  If you’re unsure about your tap, remember that refrigerator ice is usually made from the same water line. A filter on the fridge may help, but only if it’s maintained and replaced regularly.

For Renters in Atlanta

If you rent, especially in older complexes or houses that have been converted into apartments:

• Ask your landlord or property manager:
  • When the plumbing was last updated
  • Whether any lead service lines have been replaced
• If you notice:
  • Persistent rusty or brown water
  • Strong, unusual odors
  • Flaking from the faucet or aerators
    Report it to management and consider contacting the city if it continues.

For Visitors and Short-Term Stays

If you’re in Atlanta for a few days:

• Hotels and major buildings in areas like Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead are typically on standard city water and are subject to the same treatment requirements.
• If you’re sensitive to taste or traveling with young children:
  • Use tap water that has been run for a bit or
  • Use bottled or filtered water if you prefer the taste or feel more comfortable.
• Keep an eye on local news or hotel notices for any temporary advisories.

Using Filters With Atlanta Tap Water

Many Atlanta residents choose to use home water filters, not necessarily because the water is unsafe, but to:

• Improve taste and odor
• Reduce potential lead from old plumbing
• Lower chlorine levels at the tap

Common filter options include:

• Pitcher filters
• Faucet-mounted filters
• Under-sink systems

When choosing a filter:

• Look for certification for the specific contaminants you care about, such as lead, chlorine taste/odor, or certain chemicals.
• Replace cartridges on the schedule recommended by the manufacturer; an unchanged filter can stop working effectively.

A filter is optional but can be a practical added layer of comfort in older buildings or if you dislike the taste of local tap water.

How to Check Your Water Quality in Atlanta

1. Review Official Water Quality Information

Residents and businesses served by Atlanta’s public water system can:

• Review the annual water quality report (often called a Consumer Confidence Report) from the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management.
• Look for:
  • Disinfection levels
  • Lead and copper monitoring results
  • General descriptions of source water and treatment

These reports summarize typical conditions but do not account for what happens inside your specific building’s plumbing.

2. Test Your Own Tap Water

If you live in an older home, have small children, or just want certainty:

• You can use certified home test kits or
• Hire a state-certified laboratory or water professional to:
  • Test for lead
  • Check for other metals or basic water chemistry

Testing is particularly useful in:

• Pre-1986 homes or older Atlanta neighborhoods
• Houses that have been renovated but may still have sections of old pipe
• Buildings where water has been off for long periods

When to Be Extra Cautious

Consider taking additional precautions or using bottled/filtered water if:

• ✅ A boil water advisory has been issued for your neighborhood
• ✅ Your tap water is suddenly discolored, milky, or has strong unusual odors
• ✅ You live in a very old building and haven’t checked for lead or plumbing issues
• ✅ Someone in your home is more vulnerable (such as infants, people with certain health conditions, or those advised by a doctor to be more cautious with drinking water)

In these situations, it’s reasonable to:

• Avoid drinking unboiled tap water
• Use bottled or properly filtered water
• Follow any official city guidance until the issue is resolved

Who to Contact About Tap Water in Atlanta

For questions, complaints, or to report a visible water issue (such as discoloration, low pressure, or main breaks), Atlanta residents can contact:

City of Atlanta – Department of Watershed Management
Customer Service / Drinking Water Inquiries

• Commonly used main line: 311 (inside city limits)
• Alternative: Check the City of Atlanta government directory for current phone numbers
• Main office area: 72 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (city government complex)

You can:

• Ask whether there are any current advisories affecting your area
• Request information about water quality at the system level
• Report suspected line breaks, leaks, or recurring water issues

Bottom Line: Can You Drink the Tap Water in Atlanta?

• Yes — in normal conditions, most people in Atlanta safely drink tap water every day.
• The city’s water is treated and regulated to meet federal and state standards.
• Building plumbing, especially in older properties, can affect what comes out of your tap, particularly for lead and taste.
• If you live in an older home, are especially cautious, or just dislike the taste, using a filter or bottled water is a reasonable personal choice.
• Stay aware of any local boil water advisories, and contact the Department of Watershed Management if you notice unusual changes in your tap water.

For most residents and visitors, drinking tap water in Atlanta is a practical and common everyday choice, as long as you stay informed and take simple precautions when needed.