A
85

US Water Score: A

Calhoun, GA 30701

Gordon County · Population served: 53,090 · Data updated July 2026

Service-area evidence: EPA service-area records associate the listed system with this ZIP. Boundaries may still overlap or change.

Water Systems Serving This Area

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CALHOUN
Surface water · Pop. 53,090
PWSID: GA1290000

Contaminants Detected

ContaminantDetected LevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
Lead
1.3
15 ppb 1 ppb Warning

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

8 detected 2 above comparison value

UCMR5 occurrence results are screening information, not a finding of regulatory compliance or noncompliance. PFAS rules and compliance dates are evolving.

CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFBS290.0 ppt2000 ppt100 pptBelow comparison value
PFOA29.0 ppt4 ppt4 pptAbove comparison value
PFOS29.0 ppt4 ppt4 pptAbove comparison value
PFPeA21.0 pptNo standardNo federal MCL shown
PFHxA15.0 pptNo standard400 pptNo federal MCL shown
PFBA12.0 pptNo standard500 pptNo federal MCL shown
PFHxS7.0 ppt10 ppt10 pptBelow comparison value
PFHpA6.6 pptNo standardNo federal MCL shown

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in Calhoun

Tap water quality in Calhoun, Georgia (30701) receives an overall grade of A (Lower record-based concern) with a score of 85 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is roughly in line with the Georgia state average of 90. The area is served by Calhoun, a surface water system providing water to approximately 53,090 people. Testing has found elevated levels of Lead that warrant attention. Notably, 2 PFAS compounds exceed the EPA final MCL value used for comparison — a significant concern given the persistent nature of these chemicals. The area has a clean violation record over the past 5 years — a positive indicator of consistent water quality management.

Your Score 85/100 A
vs State 5 pts below Georgia avg (90)
vs National 10 pts above national avg (75)

What a Grade A Means

A score of 85/100 means public water-system records for Calhoun, GA show relatively few concerns in the US Water Score model. This is an internal score, not an EPA safety rating, and it does not guarantee conditions at any specific tap.

Surface water: sourced from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs

Health Information

What These Contaminants Mean for You

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Lead in Your Water

Lead is a toxic metal that can leach from aging pipes and plumbing fixtures.

Health Effects

Even low levels of lead exposure can cause developmental delays in children, kidney damage, and cardiovascular effects in adults. The EPA action level is 15 ppb, but health experts recommend no safe level of lead in drinking water.

Common Sources

Lead enters water primarily through corrosion of lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures — especially in homes built before 1986.

What You Can Do

If lead is detected above 1 ppb, consider using a certified lead-removal filter (NSF/ANSI 53) for drinking and cooking water. Run cold water for 30 seconds before use if water has been sitting in pipes.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on public water-system records, Calhoun, Georgia receives an internal US Water Score grade of A (Lower record-based concern) with a score of 85/100. This indicates relatively few system-level concerns in our model, but it is not an EPA safety rating and does not guarantee tap conditions inside individual homes.

ZIP code 30701 is served by 1 water system using surface water sources, providing water to approximately 53,090 people. Surface water systems are more susceptible to contamination from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and weather events, but typically undergo more extensive treatment including filtration and disinfection.

Lead was reported at 1.3 ppb in public-system records for Calhoun, Georgia. This is below the currently applicable EPA action level of 15 ppb, but may be above more protective health guidance; EPA's future LCRI action level is 10 ppb. Household plumbing can materially change tap-level exposure, so consider certified filtration and individual tap testing, especially where children are present.

Yes — 8 PFAS compounds were detected in records associated with water serving Calhoun, Georgia, and 2 results exceeded the numerical EPA MCL value used for comparison. UCMR5 occurrence results alone are not a regulatory compliance determination. PFAS rules and compliance timelines are evolving; verify current information with the utility and EPA.

Water systems serving Calhoun, Georgia have zero violations in the last 5 years. This is a positive indicator of consistent regulatory compliance and water quality management.

Based on detected contaminants (lead, PFAS), residents in Calhoun, Georgia should consider: Reverse osmosis (RO) system — most effective for PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. Always look for filters with NSF/ANSI certification for the specific contaminants you want to remove.

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