Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in Buford?
Yes, Buford's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Buford has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page, the city's water provider website, or Buford's local Twitter account.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Buford's water utility, Gwinnett Co. Dept. of Water Resources, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Gwinnett Co. Dept. of Water Resources water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Water Quality Report for Buford Tap Water
The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Buford tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.
Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.
EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.
We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Buford's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.
Buford Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Gwinnett Co. Dept. of Water Resources for Buford in Georgia. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
For the compliance period beginning July 1, 2012, Buford had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Other Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to Report which falls into the Other rule code group, and the Consumer Confidence Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Is there Lead in Buford Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Buford water system, Gwinnett Co. Dept. of Water Resources, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0012 mg/L of lead in Buford water. This is 8.0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Buford contained more lead.
While Buford water testing may have found 0.0012 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Buford Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Winder Barrow County Airport (enclave) - near Buford with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Buford has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
Buford SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years
| Compliance Period | Status | Health-Based? | Category Code | Code | Rule Code | Contaminant Code | Rule Group Code | Rule Family Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/01/2012 - | Resolved | No | Other Violation (Other) | Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to Report (71) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) | Consumer Confidence Rule (7000) | Other (400) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) |
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
| Status |
Current status of the violation.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
| Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
| Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Buford Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Phone: | 678-376-6715 |
| By Email: | charlie.roberts@gwinnettcounty.com |
| By Mail: | 684 Winder Hwy LAWRENCEVILLE, GA, 30045 |
Existing customers can login to their Gwinnett Co. Dept. of Water Resources account to pay their Buford water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your Gwinnett Co. Dept. of Water Resources bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Buford water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Buford water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Buford means you will often need to put the water in your name with Gwinnett Co. Dept. of Water Resources. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Buford means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Gwinnett Co. Dept. of Water Resources. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Buford, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Buford Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)
The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Buford's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.
NOTES ABOUT CONTAMINANTS
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animal or human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
- Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from septic systems, agriculture, livestock operations, wildlife, and sewage treatment plants
- Pesticides and herbicides that may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
-
Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, that are
by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems - Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil or gas production, mining, or farming
- Radioactive contaminants, like radon, can be naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which provide the same protection for public health.
A NOTE ABOUT LEAD
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The Gwinnett Department of Water Resources is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but it cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may
wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800.426.4791 or online at EPA.gov/safewater/lead.
CONTAMINANTS AND HEALTH RISKS
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800.426.4791.
IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons — such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some seniors, and infants — can be particularly
at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
USEPA/Centers for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800.426.4791.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT
The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources is pleased to present the annual water quality report. This Consumer Confidence Report contains important information about the quality of your drinking water, including detailed results of state and federally mandated tests for various contaminants. We are proud to say that in 2020, there were no EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations to report. A safe and reliable drinking supply is essential to a growing, progressive community like Gwinnett. Our staff is committed to researching and implementing innovative ways to deliver high quality water at an excellent value.
LAKE LANIER PROVIDES EXCELLENT WATER
Gwinnett County receives its drinking water supply from Lake Sidney Lanier, located just north of Buford. Lake Lanier is a part of the Chattahoochee River system, which provides drinking water for more than 60 percent of Georgia’s population.
Gwinnett’s two water production facilities, Shoal Creek and Lanier Filter Plants, are among the best in the industry. In 2020, The Lanier Filter Plant earned the Georgia Association of Water Professionals Plant of the Year Award and, along with Shoal Creek, was awarded the Gold Award. Together, these two plants produce more than 200 million gallons of clean water a day — ensuring plenty of water is always available for drinking, cooking, showering, and fighting fires. Both of our filter plants protect public health and safety through a
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For additional information or questions about this report, contact the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources Environmental Laboratory at 678.376.4272.
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WHAT IS CRYPTOSPORIDIUM?
Cryptosporidium is a
WATER CONSERVATION SAVES YOU MONEY
Although water on Earth seems limitless, rivers and lakes that supply surface water for human use make up less than 0.01 percent of the world’s water! With nearly 1 million Gwinnett residents using water resources each day, conservation efforts are more important than ever. Water conservation also helps keep the cost of cleaning water low since there is less water to clean. This ensures Gwinnett can focus resources on maintaining vital infrastructure. Water conservation can also dramatically reduce individual water bills. Reducing your household water use by just 17 gallons per day can save you over $100 on your water bill each year. We also offer rebates and incentives for replacing older fixtures and a pricing structure that encourages conservation. We aim to be your community partner and resource for water conservation.
PUBLIC INPUT OPPORTUNITIES
The Gwinnett County Water and Sewerage Authority, which owns the Water Resources water and wastewater system, acts as an advisory agency to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. The authority meets monthly at the DWR Central Facility. For a schedule of meetings, visit GwinnettCounty.com.
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
A source water assessment of the Lake Lanier watershed was conducted for Gwinnett County in 2019 by the Atlanta Regional Commission. The goal of the assessment was to identify potential risks to the use of Lake Lanier as a drinking water source. The assessment showed that when combining the point source and
GWINNETT COUNTY DRINKING WATER QUALITY DATA 2020
EPA Regulated Inorganic Substances or Contaminants
Substance (Unit) |
Analysis |
MCL |
MCLG |
Average |
Range |
Major Sources |
Violation |
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Frequency |
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Fluoride1 |
Daily |
4 |
4 |
0.97 |
Erosion of natural deposits; water additive |
No |
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(ppm) |
which promotes strong teeth |
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Nitrate/Nitrite2 |
Annually |
10 |
10 |
0.48 |
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from |
No |
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(ppm) |
septic tanks; erosion of natural deposits |
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- Fluoride is added to water to help promote dental health in children.
- Nitrate and Nitrite are measured together
Gwinnett County Water Distribution System - Lead and Copper Levels at Residential Taps
Substance (Unit) |
Action Level 90% |
90th Percentile |
Number of sites exceeding |
Major Sources |
Violation |
|
sample result |
Action Level (AL) |
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Lead3 |
15 |
1.2 |
0 |
Corrosion of household |
No |
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(ppb) |
plumbing systems |
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Copper4 |
1.3 |
0.17 |
0 |
Corrosion of household |
No |
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(ppm) |
plumbing systems |
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Gwinnett is required to test a minimum of 50 homes for lead and copper every three years. The last testing occurred in 2020, and the next texting will take place in 2023. Compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule is based on obtaining the 90th percentile of the total number of samples collected and comparing it against the lead and copper action levels. To have an exceedance, the 90th percentile value must be greater than 15 ppb for lead or 1.3 ppm for copper.
3Of the 50 homes tested in 2020, no sites exceeded the action level (AL) for lead.
- Of the 50 homes tested in 2020, no sites exceeded the action level (AL) for copper.
Disinfection
Substance (Unit) |
Analysis |
MCL (LRAA) |
MCLG (LRAA) |
Highest Detected |
Range |
Major Sources |
Violation |
|
Frequency |
LRAA5 |
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TTHMs (Total |
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Trihalomethanes) |
Quarterly |
80 |
0 |
59.7 |
No |
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water disinfection |
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(ppb) - Stage 2 |
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HAA5s |
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11.275- |
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(Haloacetic Acids) |
Quarterly |
60 |
0 |
31.125 |
No |
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31.125 |
water disinfection |
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(ppb) - Stage 2 |
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Decay of |
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TOC (Total Organic |
Monthly |
TT |
N/A |
Average=1.08 |
organic matter in the water |
N/A |
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Carbon) (ppm) |
withdrawn from sources |
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such as lakes and streams |
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Chlorine (ppm) |
Monthly |
MRDL=4 |
MRDLG=4 |
1.64 |
Drinking Water Disinfectant |
No |
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Bromate (ppb) |
Monthly |
10 |
0 |
Average=1.5 |
water disinfection |
No |
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utilizing ozone |
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- LRAA= Locational Running Annual Average
Turbidity
Substance (Unit) |
Analysis |
MCL |
MCLG |
Highest value |
Lowest % of |
Major Sources |
Violation |
|
Frequency |
reported |
samples meeting limit |
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Turbidity (NTU) |
Continuous |
TT, <0.3 in 95% of |
0 |
0.26 |
100% |
Soil Runoff |
No |
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monthly samples |
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Note: Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. It is monitored because it is a good indicator of water quality. High turbidity can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants.
Microbiological Contaminants
Substance (Unit) |
Analysis |
MCL |
MCLG |
Highest % positive |
Range |
Major Sources |
Violation |
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Frequency |
samples (monthly) |
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Total Coliform |
Monthly |
<5% positive |
0 |
0.13% |
Naturally present |
No |
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Bacteria 6 +/- |
samples (monthly) |
in the environment |
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6 270 samples taken monthly
UNDERSTANDING THE WATER QUALITY CHART
As in previous years, the Water Quality Report compares the quality of your tap water to state drinking water standards. The report includes information on all regulated and unregulated drink- ing water contaminants that were detected during calendar year 2019. Contaminants that were tested for, but not detected, are not included in this report.
PPM and PPB: Simply put, “PPM” means “parts per million” and “PPB” means “parts per billion.” PPM corresponds to one penny in $10,000 or one minute in two years. PPB corresponds to one penny in $10,000,000 or one minute in 2,000 years.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as technologically feasible.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of contaminant in drinking water.
Regulatory Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measure of suspended material in water. Turbidity is measured by shining a beam of light through water and measuring the angle at which the light is scattered by the suspended material. An instrument called a Turbidimeter is used for this purpose.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
TIPS FOR CONSERVING WATER
- Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth or shave
- Catch the initial cold water in a bucket while waiting for the shower or sink to warm up and use it to water plants
- Only run the dishwasher or clothes washer when you have a full load
- Routinely check your faucets and toilets for leaks
- Use a broom to clean walkways and driveways instead of a water hose
- Water plants early in the morning to reduce evaporation
-
Use auto
shut-off nozzles on your water hose - Install rain barrels to collect rainwater
To learn more about water conservation in Gwinnett, please visit DWRConserve.com.
GETTING INVOLVED
The Department of Water Resources offers many opportunities for residents to get involved. Throughout the year, the department hosts classes and events focused on conservation and protection of our water supply. The department also offers opportunities to get more
Residents can participate in programs such as the
Learn more about programs and events and see a full schedule of workshops at GwinnettH2o.com.
To schedule an educational program or tour for your group, please contact DWR Outreach and Education at DWRSchools@GwinnettCounty.com or 678.376.6722. All public outreach programs are offered free of charge to Gwinnett County residents, schools, and businesses.
Contaminants
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility details
- Serves: 795657
- Data available: 2012-2017
- Data Source: Surface water
- Total: 14
Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines
- Bromate
- Bromodichloromethane
- Chloroform
- Chromium (hexavalent)
- Dibromochloromethane
- Dichloroacetic acid
- Nitrate and nitrite
- Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
- Trichloroacetic acid
Other Detected Contaminants
- Fluoride
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
- Monochloroacetic acid
- Strontium
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.