The Public Utilities Department (PUD) delivers over 4.4 billion gallons of water to the Athens-Clarke County community.  We rely on source water pulled from the North and Middle Oconee Rivers and the Bear Creek Reservoir.  Your drinking water undergoes over 16,000 tests annually to ensure we provide you with the safe, high-quality drinking water you expect.  

The PUD has met the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) for all contaminants for thirteen consecutive years.  In the third quarter of 2021 (07/01/21 - 09/30/21), our water system exceeded the Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) maximum contaminant level (MCL) for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM).  PUD has experienced two additional exceedances since then, with the last in the third quarter of 2022 (07/01/22 - 9/20/22).    

Is my water safe to drink?
The violation posed no immediate health risk; if it had, the PUD would have notified customers immediately.  The PUD continues to address the issue and expects the next TTHM results to be below the required levels again.  Notification of the above-average levels is mailed to customers, emailed to WaterSmart account holders, posted to social media, posted at the Water Business Office, placed as a notice in the local newspaper, and is available electronically.  

What is the PUD doing to address TTHMs?
The PUD has taken several actions to address the elevated TTHMs and continues implementing more.  

We appreciate your trust in our water system and will continue to work 24/7 to provide you with excellent water services.