Tap Water Results

Is Cartersville, GA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Bartow County Water System. 4 PFAS were detected below the limits.

2 public water systems serve parts of Cartersville. The largest, Bartow County Water System, serves 70,243 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Bartow County Water System

70,243 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID GA0150001

Buys treated water from Cobb County Water System, Cherokee County Water System, Cartersville Water System, Polk County Water Authority, Adairsville Water System.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 1.4 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Bartow County Water System results

Across Georgia, 27 of 252 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 16 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Georgia results.

Cartersville homes and lead pipes

33%
of homes built before 1980 (Georgia 32%, US 50%)
10%
built before 1950 (Georgia 6%)
41%
of households rent (Georgia 34%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Cartersville city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Cartersville

  • Cartersville Water System
    24,830 people · Surface water · Georgia · lists this city
    No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Kennesaw 14 mi
Cobb County Water System
Cobb County Water SystemNone above limits–
Woodstock 17 mi
Cobb County Water System
Cobb County Water SystemNone above limits–
Canton 19 mi
Canton Water System
Canton Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Marietta 21 mi
Cobb County Water System
Cobb County Water SystemNone above limits–
Rome 23 mi
Floyd County Water System
Floyd County Water SystemAbove limit0 ppb
Smyrna 26 mi
Cobb County Water System
Cobb County Water SystemNone above limits–
Cartersville ZIP codes (1)
  • 30120

Questions

Is Cartersville tap water safe to drink?

Bartow County Water System has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Cartersville, GA?

2 public water systems serve parts of Cartersville. The largest is Bartow County Water System (70,243 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Cartersville tap water have PFAS?

Bartow County Water System had 4 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Cartersville homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 33% of Cartersville homes as built before 1980 (Georgia: 32%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Bartow County Water System's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.