Based on EPA UCMR5 monitoring data, EPA SDWIS federal violations records, and EWG Tap Water Database published findings.
EPA UCMR5 monitoring data documents PFAS detection in this system, per publicly available federal records. Regional EPA records note source patterns consistent with PFAS associated with military and federal facility operations documented in the Savannah River watershed. Nuclear facility activities historically present upstream are also documented in federal records as a contributing factor to the watershed's contaminant baseline. Reverse osmosis filtration is recommended.
Water source: Surface water (Savannah River)
Water utility: Augusta Utilities Department
Detected at approximately 4.7 ppt per EPA monitoring data — above the EPA's 4 ppt maximum contaminant level (effective 2026). Reverse osmosis or AquaTru filtration removes 99%+ of PFAS compounds.
The EPA's new maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS is 4 ppt, effective 2026. PFAS compounds have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune disruption, and developmental issues at chronic exposure levels per peer-reviewed research.
The following contaminants have been detected or are associated with elevated risk in this water system, per available EPA and EWG published data:
These detections are drawn from EPA SDWIS federal violations database and EWG Tap Water Database records. EWG health guidelines are stricter than EPA legal limits and reflect long-term exposure risk.
EPA SDWIS records show 2 health-based violation(s) and 0 lead action-level violation(s) in the past 5 years at this utility. Violations reflect the legal threshold; actual health risk at sub-violation levels is addressed by EWG health guidelines used in HAVEN's scoring.
Reverse osmosis filtration is strongly recommended. AquaTru Carafe ($149) or APEC ROES-50 under-sink RO ($250) remove essentially all documented contaminants in this system. Standard pitcher filters are NOT sufficient for this risk level.
Water is one of six categories HAVEN scores. Take the free 3-minute quiz to get your complete Home Health Score — mold, air quality, EMF, household chemicals, and more.
Get My Free Home Health Score →