Can You Drink Tap Water in Athens, GA?
Most Americans are accustomed to drinking tap water without questioning whether it’s safe to do so. While most of the tap water across the country meets EPA-established standards, factors like aging infrastructure, synthetic chemicals, and naturally occurring contaminants can all impact its quality.
Can you drink the water in Athens, Georgia, specifically? The short answer is yes, as it meets or exceeds federal standards. That said, simple upgrades to your home’s water filtration system can ensure that tap water quality is never a question, giving you and your family long-term peace of mind.
Family-owned and operated, Seay Plumbing has served home and business owners in Athens and its surrounding communities for over 20 years. Today, we’re here to break down everything you should know about the city’s tap water.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Athens, GA?
Can you drink tap water in Athens, Georgia? According to the Athens-Clarke County Drinking Water Quality Report, the water is safe to drink right out of the faucet.
The thousands of annual tests conducted each year show that the city’s water has virtually no lead or other contaminants in it. Likewise, there are no lead distribution pipes in the county’s service network.
Where Does Athens, GA Tap Water Come From?
Tap water in Athens, Georgia, comes from a couple of primary sources. These include:
Rivers
Most of the city’s tap water comes from two rivers: the North and the Middle Oconee River. These flow through the Athens-Clarke County area, providing substantial amounts of freshwater to local communities.
Reservoirs
The Northwestern part of Athens-Clarke County is home to the Bear Creek Reservoir, a five-billion-gallon reservoir. When the North and Middle Oconee Rivers need to recover from droughts or heavy rainfall, the local Public Utilities department draws water from the reserve for use.
What’s Actually in Athens Tap Water?
Is Athens tap water safe to drink? As mentioned, it is—but what’s actually in it?
Next time you turn on the faucet, here are some tap water specifics to keep in mind:
- Composition: At around 8-120 mg/L of calcium, Athens has much softer water than many other parts of the country. While excellent for brewing, it can sometimes feel dry on sensitive skin.
- Disinfectants: These bacteria-killers are crucial to ensuring water quality standards. The City of Athens uses chlorine as a disinfectant, which sometimes leads to trace amounts of byproducts like dichloroacetic acid.
- Lead and PFAS: Testing detects no amount of “forever” chemicals, nor is there any lead, as the city uses a phosphate blend to coat local pipes.
Does Athens Have Hard Water?
No, Athens has soft water—much softer than that of other regions. To fully appreciate that, it’s worth understanding the primary difference between hard and soft water: mineral content.
Hard water is richer in calcium and magnesium, while soft water contains sodium and is otherwise low in minerals. Most people prefer soft water because its chemical composition allows it to lather without leaving residue. This is beneficial for your skin and hair, as it doesn’t strip away natural oils, as well as your home, as pipes and appliances prefer soft water.
Hard water comes from groundwater sources that have nearby mineral deposits. As Athens primarily pulls its water from the North and Middle Oconee Rivers, it avoids the minerals common in other water supplies.
Should You Use a Water Filter in Athens, GA?
Can you drink tap water in Athens? We’ve explained why you can, but here’s why you should consider using a water filter.
- Remove Chlorine Taste: The chlorine disinfectant process used by the city causes its water to have a noticeable smell. A simple filter can go a long way towards eliminating this odor.
- Protection From Lead: Athens is virtually lead-free, but older homes and pipes can still contain trace amounts. If you live in a home built before the 1980s, a lead-reduction filter can remove any lingering amounts that might be there.
- Reduce Trace Contaminants: While the city’s water supply meets federal guidelines, trace amounts of PFAS or other contaminants aren’t unheard of. If you want added health protection, a water filter can offer an additional layer of security.
Signs Your Tap Water May Have Issues
Discernible changes to your water are usually the easiest way to know that your water may have issues. Common indicators include:
- Yellow, orange, or brown hue
- Visible sediment or specks
- Milky or cloudy water
- Rotten egg smell
- Bitter or metallic taste
- Bleach or chemical scent
- Oily sheen
All of these signs can point towards the presence of contaminants like iron or bacteria. If you observe them, it’s worth reaching out to a local plumbing team as soon as possible.
Best Water Filtration Options for Athens Homes
Athens tap water is safe, but the right filtration system can make it even better. Here are the most common options available to local homeowners.
Activated Carbon Filters
The simplest and most affordable option, activated carbon filters attach directly to your faucet or fit inside a pitcher. They’re effective at eliminating the chlorinated taste found in Athens’ water.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
RO systems are the most thorough water filtration systems available. They work by using a membrane to remove contaminants at the molecular level. They’re ideal for residents looking for the highest water quality possible.
Ion Exchange Filters
These work to soften water by swapping calcium and magnesium for sodium. While they’re less useful in Athens thanks to the area’s soft water, they can still be a good addition to older homes.
Ultraviolet (UV) Purifiers
UV purifiers use focused light to neutralize bacteria and viruses without chemicals. They’re great for well water systems, where biological contaminants can be common.
Sediment Filters
These filters block rust, sand, and other debris from reaching your appliances or other filters. They’re often the first line of defense in multi-stage filtration systems, protecting and extending the lifespan of other filters downstream.
Safe Water Solutions With Seay Plumbing
Can you drink tap water in Athens? Yes, but water quality isn’t something you should have to worry about.
At Seay Plumbing, we’re strong believers in having access to clean water. The right filtration system can ensure that the water you drink is clean and pure, keeping you and your family healthy and quenched. Whether you’re looking to repair your existing system or install a new one, our decades of experience will allow us to get the job done efficiently and effectively.
Ready to take the next step in protecting your home’s water? Get a filtration quote from our team today by completing our form.