Drinking Water in Atlanta: How Safe Is It and What Should You Know?

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, are planning a move, or are visiting for a while, it’s natural to ask: Is the tap water in Atlanta safe to drink?

In general, Atlanta’s drinking water is treated and regulated to meet federal and state safety standards, and most residents use it every day for drinking, cooking, and bathing. At the same time, local conditions, building plumbing, and personal preferences can affect what feels right for you and your household.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused guide to how the city’s water system works, what the main concerns are, and how you can check or improve the water in your own home or temporary stay.

How Atlanta’s Drinking Water System Works

Where Atlanta’s Water Comes From

Most of the water used in the City of Atlanta comes from nearby surface water sources, mainly:

  • Chattahoochee River
  • Local reservoirs operated by the city and surrounding counties

From the river or reservoir, water is sent to treatment plants operated by Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM), where it is:

  1. Screened and filtered to remove sediment and particles
  2. Disinfected (commonly with chlorine-based disinfectants) to kill germs
  3. Adjusted for corrosion control, which helps protect pipes and limit metals such as lead from leaching into tap water
  4. Tested regularly to confirm it meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) drinking water standards

Who Oversees Water Quality in Atlanta?

For most in-town addresses, your tap water is overseen by:

City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
72 Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Customer Service: 404-546-0311

If you live in unincorporated Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, or Gwinnett County, you may be served by your county water department instead. They operate their own treatment plants and testing programs, but follow similar regulations.

Is Tap Water in Atlanta Safe to Drink?

Overall Safety

For the typical household in Atlanta:

  • City-treated water generally complies with federal and state safety standards.
  • The water is regularly tested for bacteria, chemicals, and metals before leaving the treatment plant.
  • Each year, utilities release a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) describing water quality and any detected contaminants.

This means that, for most healthy adults and children, drinking tap water in Atlanta is considered safe according to regulatory standards.

However, there are some important nuances.

What Can Affect Safety at Your Faucet

The water that leaves a treatment plant is not always identical to the water that comes out of your kitchen tap. Along the way, several factors can influence its quality:

  • Age of your building and pipes – Older homes and buildings in Atlanta (especially those built before the late 1980s) may still have:
    • Lead service lines
    • Lead-based solder
    • Older plumbing that may corrode more easily
  • Internal plumbing issues – Rusty pipes, aging fixtures, or old water heaters can affect color, taste, and metal levels.
  • Stagnant water – If water sits in pipes for many hours (for example, overnight or in vacant units), metals can accumulate in the standing water.
  • Apartment or condo systems – In larger buildings, internal plumbing systems and storage tanks are managed by the property owner, not the city.

Because of these factors, the water quality at your address may differ from the citywide average, even if the treatment plant is operating normally.

Common Concerns About Atlanta Tap Water

1. Taste, Smell, and Color

Some Atlanta residents notice:

  • A chlorine-like taste or odor
  • Musty or earthy smells at certain times of year
  • Occasional slight discoloration (yellowish or brownish tint) from mineral or sediment disturbance in pipes

In many cases, these issues are aesthetic, not safety-related. They can come from:

  • Normal chlorine disinfectant used to keep water free of germs
  • Natural organic matter from the Chattahoochee and local reservoirs
  • Sediment stirred up from changes in flow or nearby construction

Still, if water is consistently discolored, has a strong odor, or suddenly looks different, you should:

  • Avoid drinking it until it clears.
  • Run the cold water for a few minutes to flush your pipes.
  • Contact your local water department to report the issue.

2. Lead in Drinking Water

Lead is a key concern in older cities, and parts of Atlanta have aging infrastructure and older housing stock. While the city treats water to limit corrosion, **lead can still enter water from:

  • Lead service lines (the pipe between the water main and your home)
  • Lead solder in older plumbing
  • Some older brass fixtures and faucets

Important points:

  • Lead usually does not come from the treatment plant itself.
  • Even water that meets regulations at the plant can pick up lead inside buildings or on private property.
  • Children and pregnant people are generally considered more vulnerable to the health effects of lead.

If you live in an older Atlanta neighborhood, rent in a historic building, or are unsure how old the plumbing is, it can be reasonable to check your water specifically for lead or use a certified filter designed to reduce lead.

3. “Boil Water” Advisories in Atlanta

From time to time, parts of Atlanta or nearby areas may experience:

  • Boil water advisories after water main breaks, major pressure drops, or local flooding
  • Short-term disruptions during heavy construction or extreme weather

When this happens, utilities typically advise residents to:

  • Boil tap water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or washing food.
  • Discard ice made during the advisory.

These advisories are usually temporary and localized, but it’s important to:

  • Pay attention to local news and official alerts from the City of Atlanta or your county water department.
  • Follow instructions carefully until officials announce that the advisory is lifted.

How Atlanta Tests and Monitors Drinking Water

Routine Testing

Atlanta’s water utilities typically test for:

  • Microorganisms (like coliform bacteria)
  • Disinfectant levels (such as chlorine)
  • Disinfection byproducts
  • Inorganic chemicals (like nitrates and some metals)
  • Organic chemicals (certain solvents or industrial compounds)
  • Physical characteristics (pH, turbidity, etc.)

These tests help confirm that water:

  • Meets or stays below federal and state limits for many contaminants.
  • Remains properly disinfected throughout the distribution system.

Annual Water Quality Reports

If you pay a water bill in Atlanta, you should receive or be able to request an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. This document:

  • Lists detected contaminants and their levels.
  • Compares those levels to legal limits and recommended guidelines.
  • Explains where your water comes from and how it is treated.

You can usually get a copy by:

  • Checking inserts with your water bill
  • Calling your water utility’s customer service line
  • Visiting or contacting Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (or your county department, if outside city limits)

Practical Tips for Drinking Water in Atlanta

Everyday Use in Homes and Apartments

For most Atlanta households, you can safely:

  • Drink cold tap water
  • Cook with tap water
  • Brush your teeth with tap water
  • Use tap water for making coffee, tea, and ice

If you want to reduce taste, odor, or possible contaminants:

  • Use a certified water filter (pitcher, faucet-mounted, under-sink) that is labeled to address your specific concern, such as:
    • Chlorine taste and odor
    • Lead
    • Certain organic contaminants
  • Replace filter cartridges on schedule to keep them effective.

Simple Steps to Improve Tap Water Quality at Home

Here are some low-effort habits that many Atlanta residents use:

  1. Use cold water for drinking and cooking.
    Hot water is more likely to leach metals from pipes and fixtures.

  2. Run the tap for 30–60 seconds if water has been sitting in the pipes for several hours, especially in older buildings.

  3. Clean faucet aerators regularly.
    Mineral deposits and sediment can collect in the small screen at the tip of your faucet and may affect flow and clarity.

  4. Store water in the fridge.
    Chilling tap water in a clean, covered container can improve taste and make any chlorine odor less noticeable.

  5. Pay attention to sudden changes.
    If your water suddenly becomes very cloudy, rusty, or has an unusual smell, contact your water provider and avoid drinking it until the issue is clarified.

Special Considerations for Certain Groups

While Atlanta’s tap water generally meets regulatory standards, some people may want to be especially cautious, such as:

  • Households with infants or small children
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals
  • People with compromised immune systems or specific medical conditions

These residents sometimes choose to:

  • Use filtered tap water for drinking and formula preparation.
  • Keep an eye on annual water reports and public advisories.
  • Discuss personal concerns with a healthcare professional.

This is a personal choice and can depend on your comfort level, your building’s age, and your conversation with a medical provider.

What Visitors to Atlanta Should Know

If you are visiting Atlanta and staying in a:

  • Hotel
  • Short-term rental
  • Conference center or campus housing

you can generally expect:

  • Tap water to be treated and safe to drink under normal conditions.
  • Occasional taste or odor differences from what you are used to, especially if your home water supply in another city is from a different source or uses different treatment methods.

To be comfortable:

  • You can drink cold tap water, or
  • Use bottled water or a portable filter bottle if you prefer a particular taste or have personal sensitivities.

If there is a boil water advisory, hotels and event venues usually post notices and may provide bottled water or guidance until the advisory is lifted.

How to Check Water Quality at Your Specific Address in Atlanta

If you want more precise information about the water in your home or building, you have a few options.

1. Contact Your Water Utility

Ask:

  • Whether your area has any known lead service lines or older infrastructure concerns.
  • If there have been recent water quality issues or advisories in your neighborhood.
  • How to access the most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).

For City of Atlanta residents:

City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
72 Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Customer Service: 404-546-0311

You can also contact the Fulton County Board of Health or your county’s health department for general water quality questions within their service areas.

2. Request or Perform Water Testing

To check your own tap:

  • Use a certified laboratory that tests drinking water for:
    • Lead and copper
    • Basic chemistry (pH, hardness, metals)
    • Other contaminants if you have a specific concern

Some Atlanta-area residents:

  • Arrange testing themselves via private labs.
  • Ask property managers or landlords if any testing has been done recently, especially in older multi-unit buildings.

When you get test results, check them against:

  • Federal and state drinking water standards
  • Any guidance provided by the testing laboratory

Signs You Should Call About Your Water

While minor, short-term changes are common, you should contact your water provider if you notice:

  • Persistent brown, yellow, or cloudy water
  • Strong chemical or sewage-like odors
  • Sudden drop in water pressure combined with discolored water
  • Visible particles that don’t clear after running the tap
  • An unusual film or residue left on dishes or sinks

For City of Atlanta customers, you can call 404-546-0311 to report water quality issues or service concerns. If you are outside city limits, contact your county water department.

Bottom Line: Is Atlanta Water Safe to Drink?

  • Yes, in general, tap water in Atlanta is treated, regulated, and considered safe to drink for most people.
  • Safety at your individual tap can depend on your building’s plumbing, pipe age, and how long water sits in the lines.
  • Common concerns include taste, odor, discoloration, and potential lead in older plumbing, but these do not affect every household.
  • If you want extra reassurance, you can:
    • Use a certified water filter
    • Run your tap briefly before drinking
    • Check your local water quality report
    • Have your water tested, especially in older homes or if you care for infants or young children

With a basic understanding of how Atlanta’s water system works and a few simple habits, you can make a well-informed decision about drinking tap water in Atlanta and choose any extra precautions that fit your comfort level.