Augusta drinking water meets safety standards, city officials say

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta leaders want customers to know that the drinking water here is safe.

They issued a statement this week amid a nationwide focus on the potential dangers of long-lasting chemicals known as PFAS.

“Augusta Utilities is aware of recent media coverage regarding PFAS compounds, sometimes referred to as ‘forever chemicals,’” the city said. “Augusta’s drinking water meets all current state and federal health standards and remains safe to drink.”

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division, which oversees drinking water enforcement under the Safe Drinking Water Act, has not issued any public health advisory for Augusta’s water system, city officials said.

City water is routinely tested for more than 182 regulated contaminants, officials said, and all levels remain within established health-based guidelines.

Water quality testing is conducted regularly and reported to both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

PFAS compounds − formally known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances − are being monitored nationwide under new federal standards established in 2024.

The chemicals, used in consumer products for decades, are hard to break down, so they are called “forever chemicals.”

Augusta Utilities continues to monitor these compounds as required and is evaluating treatment options to meet future regulatory timelines, city officials said.

You can review Augusta’s annual water quality report at: https://www.augustaga.gov/751/Water-Quality-Reports.

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