Is there PFAS in Augusta-richmond CO Ws water?

Yes. EPA's final UCMR 5 results show Augusta-richmond CO Ws averaged 43.6 ppt of PFOS at its worst sampling point, 10.9 times the EPA limit of 4 ppt.

Augusta-richmond CO Ws is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Augusta, Georgia, serving about 204,000 people, including Hephzibah, Augusta. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 14 times across 5 sampling points between Jun 2023 and Mar 2024.

Every PFAS detected

Not detected: PFNA, PFDA, PFDoA, PFMBA, PFMPA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFEESA, PFUnA, PFHpA, NFDHA, 8:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, 6:2 FTS, PFBA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFHpS, HFPO-DA, ADONA, NMeFOSAA, NEtFOSAA, PFTrDA, PFTA.

Lithium, tested in the same program: not detected.

What the EPA limits mean here

In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.

Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.

What you can do at home

Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.

Other systems in Georgia

• Henry County Water Authority 2 PFAS detected
• Cherokee County none detected
• Columbus above an EPA limit
• Savannah-main none detected
• Forsyth CO. Water & Sewer none detected
• Gainesville none detected

All 256 tested systems in Georgia

ZIP codes served

30815 30901 30906 30909

As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.

Cite this page

Well & Tap. "PFAS in Augusta-richmond CO Ws water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID GA2450000. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/georgia/augusta-richmond-co-ws/

About this data

Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID GA2450000). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.