Georgia State Requirements for Water Testing

Lakes, rivers and streams theoretically should be safe to swim in and the fish should be safe to eat. Unfortunately, due to pollution and contaminated runoff, they are not. Water out of wells should be safe to drink. However, due to groundwater contamination, it may not be. In an effort to protect public health, the state of Georgia's Department of Natural Resources (GDNR) constantly tests the waters and reports any unsafe findings, so that steps can be taken to restore the water to a usable state.

Benchmark Standards

• First, benchmark standards are determined by the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR). For example, the acceptable level of copper or cadmium in the water must be determined. These benchmarking references are used as baseline for natural bodies of water and potable water. The GDNR uses the EPA's Water Quality Standards Handbook for guidance.

Tests Conducted

• After all the standards are reviewed, tests on bodies of water and subsurface water tables are conducted. One of the major tests conducted is for coliform, which is the pathogen responsible for cholera. There are hundreds of tests conducted yearly for determining the levels of hundreds of pollutants, such as arsenic or lead. These tests are not simple, nor are they inexpensive. They are highly accurate scientific tests to determine the exact levels of organic and inorganic chemicals, along with pathogens.

Comparisons

• After all the tests are run, the collected data is compared to the benchmarks set. If any of the data indicate excessive levels, then the local GDNR agency is contacted. The local GDNR will then work with local county Departments of Health to initiate steps to reduce and eradicate the problem. An example of this is if excessive bacteria levels are found in a public swimming lake, the local health department shuts down the swimming areas, and water restoration treatments are used to restore the lake back to health.