Does a detection mean the water is unsafe or out of compliance?

No. UCMR 5 is monitoring data and does not indicate compliance or noncompliance with any drinking-water standard. It reports the highest single detected result at the entry point, which is information you can act on by testing your own tap and choosing a certified filter.

PFAS detected in Georgia water systems

Q: Which Georgia water systems had PFAS detected in EPA UCMR 5?

EPA UCMR 5 detected PFOA or PFOS at or above 6 parts per trillion in 17 large Georgia public water systems (each serving more than 10,000 people). Select a system to see the specific PFAS and highest levels detected.

EPA UCMR 5 monitoring (2023–2025) detected PFOA or PFOS at or above 6 parts per trillion in these 17 large Georgia public water systems, each serving more than 10,000 people. Select a system to see exactly what was detected and the certified filters that reduce it.

Georgia systems, highest detections first

Water system	PFOA (ppt)	PFOS (ppt)	vs. 4 ppt reference
Lafayette	31	56	14×
Augusta-Richmond Co WS	29.9	51	12.8×
Columbus	33.9	8.4	8.5×
Calhoun	29	29	7.3×
Walker County Water Authority	12	22	5.5×
Rome	17.3	10.9	4.3×
Chatsworth	15	12	3.8×
Griffin	9.7	14	3.5×
Spalding County Water System	10	13	3.3×
Floyd County	11.1	9.2	2.8×
East Point	9.3	6.4	2.3×
Clayton County Water Authority	8.4	8.5	2.1×
Dalton Utilities	8.4	8.4	2.1×
Harris County Water System	5.8	7.3	1.8×
Valdosta	6.1	7	1.8×
Woodstock, GA	6.8	5.3	1.7×
Centerville, GA	6.1	—	1.5×

Highest single EPA UCMR 5 detections (2023–2025), in parts per trillion. The last column is the multiple of the 4 ppt federal reference level for PFOA/PFOS — shown as context only, not a compliance or health determination. — means the compound was not detected at or above 6 ppt.

Not sure what's in your own water? Test it first, then run the selector for a recommendation matched to your home, or read what PFAS is and how it's removed.