Water Quality
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Water Quality Report
Every year, we publish the annual Water Quality Report containing important information about the quality of your drinking water. Gwinnett County’s water is tested for various organic and inorganic substances in strict adherence with state and federal regulations. In 2023, there were no EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations to report.
Water Quality
The Department of Water Resources is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water to Gwinnett County. Our water supply comes from Lake Lanier, providing a uniform raw water that is naturally low in suspended materials, bacteria, dissolved organics, and metals. This raw water is processed by one of our two water production facilities, the Shoal Creek and Lanier Filter plants, before entering our distribution system of underground piping and storage tanks. Water production treatment plant staff continuously monitors and analyzes water quality around the clock to ensure drinking water in Gwinnett County meets or exceeds all federal and state regulations for safety, based on the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. Simply put, our water is safe to drink.
Our Environmental Lab rigorously tests both the raw water coming from Lake Lanier and the finished (treated) water from the plants to ensure it continuously meets all water quality and safety regulations. The lab also tests water in some portion of the distribution system nearly every day, visiting more than 800 sites in the county at least four times a year.
Water Quality at Home
The water produced in Gwinnett County is safe to drink directly from the tap and does not require boiling or filtering beforehand. Most issues with tap water originate in home plumbing systems. For example, black specks in the water are usually a sign of degrading internal plumbing. You can visit Resident Responsibility for information about what your responsibilities are as a homeowner.
We have compiled resources to answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding water quality or home water quality below.
- Drinking Water FAQ – CDC
- Public Water Systems FAQ – CDC
- Facts about Serratia marcescens: The Pink Stuff in Your Toilet, Shower, or Sink
- Questions About Lead
If you are having a water emergency, please contact us.
Home Brewers Water Quality Report
| Parameter | Defined | Minimum Concentration Detected | Maximum Concentration Detected | Average Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
pH (SU) |
Acidity level |
6.78 |
8.51 | 7.26 |
| Total Alkalinity (as CaCO3) |
A measurement of dissolved alkaline substances in water that can neutralize acid. |
0.89 dkh |
1.45 dkh |
1.12 dkh |
| Bicarbonate Alkalinity (as HCO3) |
A measurement of bicarbonate substances in water that can neutralize acid. |
19.5 mg/L |
31.7 mg/L |
24.4 mg/L |
| Total Hardness (grains per gallon) |
A measurement of how much calcium and magnesium are in the water. |
1.05 grains per gallon |
1.87 grains per gallon |
1.34 grains per gallon |
| Calcium |
Calcium is an element that is essential to life; it gets into the water through contact with rocks and soil. |
4.8 mg/L |
9.6 mg/L |
6.8 mg/L |
| Magnesium |
Magnesium is an element that is essential to life; it gets into the water through contact with rocks and soil. |
1.4 mg/L |
1.9 mg/L |
1.5 mg/L |
| Sodium |
Sodium is an element that is essential to life; it gets into the water through contact with rocks and soil. |
5.8 mg/L |
6.0 mg/L |
5.9 mg/L |
| Chloride |
Chloride is an important naturally occurring element; it gets into the water through salt deposits that the water comes in contact with and through water treatment. |
7.15 mg/L |
9.55 mg/L |
8.00 mg/L |
| Sulfate |
Sulfate is a naturally occurring chemical that enters the water naturally as well as from human activities such as fertilization or industrial activities. |
3.04 mg/L |
4.82 mg/L |
3.79 mg/L |