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Rules for Safe Drinking Water in the State of Georgia

Rules for safe drinking water clearly established drinking water standards for the State of Georgia according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Section 12-5-192. The purpose of the safe drinking water rules is to ensure that public water supply system in Georgia provides a constant supply of safe drinking water to its citizens. The State of Georgia has been approved by Environmental Protection Agency as having primary enforcement responsibility for public water systems.

  1. Source of Water

    • The Environment Protection Division (EPD) has clearly stated the rules for safe drinking water in the state of Georgia. Any new source of water has to be sampled and sent for evaluation by a government certified laboratory before it can be used for drinking. A discontinued source can be utilized for drinking without sampling if it is reused within a period of three years or less from the time of discontinuation.

    Record

    • A record shall be maintained stating the date, place and time of collection of sample and the person responsible for collection. The record must show the analytical/scientific method used along with the result of analysis. Records of the corrections made by the EPD as well as the exemptions granted by it have to be kept for a minimum of five years.

    Maximum Contaminant Levels

    • The maximum contaminant levels (MCL) prescribed by the EPD are to be strictly adhered to. A separate MCL is set for organic, inorganic, radioactive contaminants and coli form (for sanitary purpose) measured with respect to the local population. As prescribed by the EPD, the trihalomethanes (2nd generation disinfectants) level is to be checked regularly.

    Corrosion Control

    • The copper and lead count of the water supply system shall determine the steps to be taken for preventing corrosion as defined by the EPD.

    Public Notifications

    • In the event of violation of the above stated rules, the sole responsibility of broadcasting the news lies with the EPD authorities. In the event of amendments to the safe drinking water act, the EPD must broadcast the same to the public.

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