Water System Number GA0510250
The City of Savannah Water Supply and Treatment department is pleased to report that your drinking water, supplied by the Whitemarsh Island System, is safe. To learn more about safety regulations and testing, see the table included in this report.
Tap Water Vs. Bottled Water
All sources of drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some substances. All water sources are fed by water that passes over the land or through the ground, dissolving naturally occurring minerals and materials, or picking up substances along the way. These substances may include:
The difference is in how they are regulated. Your tap water is much more stringently regulated – it is tested hundreds of times a month for over 100 different contaminants. Bottled water, on the other hand, is only required to be tested once a week for some substances. Higher levels of at least 13 contaminants are allowed in bottled water than tap water. And tap water providers are required to share their quality in reports such as this one, and to notify the public if a potentially dangerous contaminant is found. Bottled water providers are not required to provide the public with this information.
If you drink the recommended 8 cups of water a day of tap water it will cost you $0.50 a year. The same amount of bottled water will cost $1,400 a year. That's 3000x the price for a less safe product!
Drinking Water Analysis
The City of Savannah Water Laboratory performed more than 123,000 tests and procedures, on over 160 water quality parameters, during 2019 to ensure water quality. The City has met all sampling and reporting requirements.
| Substance tested and detected |
Chlorine
|
Fluoride
|
Lead
|
Copper
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Probable Source
|
Water additive used to control microbes | Erosion of natural deposits | Corrosion of household plumbing | Corrosion of household plumbing |
|
Amount Detected
|
2.18 ppm | 0.36 ppm | 1.2 ppb (90th Percentile) |
0.086 ppm (90th Percentile) |
|
Meets Drinking Water Standards
|
check | check | check | check |
|
Maximum Disinfectant Residual Level Goal
The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.
|
4 ppm | |||
|
Maximum Disinfectant Residual Level Allowed
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.
|
4 ppm | |||
|
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
The level of contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health, allowing for a margin of safety.
|
4 ppm | 0 ppb | 1.3 ppm | |
|
Maximum Contaminant Level Allowed
The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. This level is set as close to the goal as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
|
4 ppm | |||
|
Action Level
The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
|
15 ppb | 1.3 ppm | ||
|
Range of Detection
|
0.10-2.18 ppm | 0.36 ppm | No sample greater than action level | No sample greater than action level |
If you have any questions regarding safe drinking water regulations or these test results, you may contact the City of Savannah Water Supply and Treatment Department at (912) 964-0698.
Health Information
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their healthcare providers.
EPA/Center for Disease control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risks of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
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 City of Savannah is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing fixtures. 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 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you have concerns 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 1-800-426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.