Where Atlanta’s Drinking Water Comes From (And How It Gets to Your Tap)

If you live in Atlanta, you’ve probably heard about water restrictions, droughts, and even legal battles over water. All of that ties back to one big question: where does Atlanta actually get its water?

Here’s a clear breakdown of Atlanta’s water sources, how the system works, and what that means for you at home, at work, or when you’re visiting the city.

Atlanta’s Primary Water Source: The Chattahoochee River

Atlanta’s drinking water comes almost entirely from surface water, not groundwater. The main source is the:

• Chattahoochee River

Water is drawn from the river, treated at large facilities, and then delivered through an extensive pipe network to homes, businesses, and public buildings across the city.

Key Points About the Chattahoochee

• It flows along the western side of the Atlanta metro area.
• It also supplies water to many surrounding communities, not just Atlanta.
• Because it’s a relatively small river for such a large population, water planning and conservation are major local issues.

For most residents inside the City of Atlanta, when you turn on the tap, you’re getting treated water that started in the Chattahoochee River.

Major Water Treatment Plants Serving Atlanta

The City of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management runs several key facilities that pull water from the river, clean it, and send it into the distribution system.

Hemphill Water Treatment Plant

• Location: Northwest Atlanta
• Source: Chattahoochee River
• Role: One of the city’s largest water treatment plants, serving a big portion of central and northern Atlanta.

Chattahoochee Water Treatment Plant

• Location: Near the Chattahoochee River in northwest metro Atlanta
• Source: Chattahoochee River
• Role: Treats and distributes water across large sections of the city and nearby areas.

Deep Storage and Backup

Atlanta also uses storage reservoirs and tanks to help balance daily demand and provide backup supply. These don’t create new water sources but help store treated water so the system is more reliable during:

• Peak demand (hot summer days)
• Fire emergencies
• Planned maintenance or short-term issues at treatment plants

Metro vs. City: Who Supplies Your Water?

If you say “Atlanta,” you might mean the City of Atlanta or the greater Atlanta metro area. Water service can differ depending on exactly where you live.

Here’s a simplified view:

If you’re not sure who your water provider is, check:

• Your water bill (look for the city or county utility name)
• Your local government’s utilities or water services office

Even outside the City of Atlanta, many metro residents still rely on the same general river system, especially the Chattahoochee.

How River Water Becomes Drinking Water

Once water is pulled from the Chattahoochee, it goes through several standard treatment steps before reaching your faucet.

Basic Treatment Process

1. Intake from the River
   Water is pumped from the Chattahoochee River into the treatment plant.

2. Screening and Sedimentation
   Large debris (branches, leaves, trash) is removed. Then the water sits in large basins where heavier particles settle out.

3. Filtration
   Water passes through filters made of sand, gravel, and other media to remove smaller particles.

4. Disinfection
   A disinfectant (often chlorine-based) is added to kill or inactivate harmful microorganisms and keep the water safe as it travels through pipes.

5. Corrosion Control and Other Adjustments
   Chemicals are added to help protect pipes and maintain a stable pH, which can help reduce corrosion in distribution pipes and home plumbing.

6. Storage and Distribution
   The treated water is stored in tanks and reservoirs and then pushed through a network of underground water mains to neighborhoods, businesses, and public facilities.

Each treatment plant follows these basic steps, with local adjustments based on Atlanta’s river conditions and infrastructure.

Why Atlanta’s Water Source Matters

Because Atlanta depends so heavily on one main river system, a few important issues come into play.

1. Drought and Water Restrictions

North Georgia can experience periodic droughts. When river levels drop:

• The state or local governments may announce outdoor watering restrictions.
• You may see rules limiting lawn watering, car washing, or non-essential water use.

These measures are meant to protect the Chattahoochee’s water levels so the region has enough supply for drinking, sanitation, and firefighting.

2. Upstream and Downstream Impacts

The Chattahoochee River flows through multiple states. Atlanta’s withdrawals and discharges are part of a larger regional water system. That’s why water use in Atlanta can become part of interstate water management discussions.

3. Water Quality Concerns

Like other urban rivers, the Chattahoochee is influenced by:

• Stormwater runoff
• Urban development
• Industrial and municipal discharges (which are regulated and treated)

Treatment plants are designed to handle typical variations in river quality. Local agencies also monitor water to ensure it meets state and federal drinking water standards before distribution.

Water for Visitors: Hotels, Restaurants, and Attractions

If you’re visiting Atlanta:

• Hotels, restaurants, and venues in the city are almost always served by the same public water system drawing from the Chattahoochee.
• Larger campuses (like universities or hospitals) may have their own internal piping systems and backup storage but still usually rely on city or county water sources.

It’s common for visitors to drink tap water in restaurants, hotels, and public venues unless they have a specific preference for bottled or filtered water.

Who Manages Atlanta’s Water?

Within the City of Atlanta, the main public agency is:

City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management

• Handles: drinking water, wastewater, stormwater services
• Oversees: treatment plants, pipelines, customer service related to water and sewer billing

For typical consumers, this department is your central contact for:

• Water service questions or outages
• Billing issues
• Water quality concerns
• New service connection or shutoff requests

If you live in another city or county in the metro area, you’d contact your local water utility or county public works department instead.

How to Find Out More About Your Water in Atlanta

If you want more specific information about your water, these steps can help:

• ✅ Check your water bill
  It usually lists your water provider and customer service number.

• ✅ Call your utility’s customer service
  You can ask:

  • Where your water is sourced
  • Which treatment plant serves your area
  • How to get the latest water quality report

• ✅ Look for your annual water quality report
  Utilities typically publish an annual summary of water sources, treatment, and testing results. This is often called a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• Most of Atlanta’s drinking water comes from the Chattahoochee River.
• The water is treated at major plants like the Hemphill and Chattahoochee Water Treatment Plants before it reaches your tap.
• The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management manages water and sewer services within city limits.
• Because the region relies heavily on one river, droughts, conservation efforts, and water planning are ongoing local priorities.
• Whether you’re living in Atlanta or just visiting, the water in homes, businesses, hotels, and restaurants generally comes from the same interconnected river-based system.