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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 31808 Water Quality & Testing Report

Fortson, GA ยท Harris County County ยท Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 31808 (Fortson, GA)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 31808 (Fortson, GA) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (63/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 0 ppb lead. While treated by HARRIS COUNTY WATER SYSTEM, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair โ€” Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

Low

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 31808

Tap water in ZIP code 31808 (Fortson, GA) is distributed by HARRIS COUNTY WATER SYSTEM (EPA ID: GA1450011), serving approximately 22,922 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 63/100.

Water System

HARRIS COUNTY WATER SYSTEM

EPA ID: GA1450011

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

22,922 residents

County

Harris County County, Georgia

๐Ÿงช

Lead Levels in ZIP 31808

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 31808. Contact HARRIS COUNTY WATER SYSTEM to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 31808 is rated Low. EPA models estimate a 19% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Low
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

19%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring โ€” meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
๐Ÿชจ

Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Soft3.3 GPG ยท 56 mg/L

Water in ZIP 31808 is classified as Soft (56 mg/L / 3.3 GPG). Soft water produces abundant soap lather, prevents scale buildup in water heaters, and does not leave spots on dishes.

Recommendation: No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

3.3 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

56 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Very Low

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: HARRIS COUNTY WATER SYSTEM ยท PWSID: GA1450011

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years โ€” EPA SDWIS data

HARRIS COUNTY WATER SYSTEM has recorded zero violations in the EPA compliance database over the past 5 years.

Total Violations (5 yr)
0
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Unknown
โš—๏ธ

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 31808 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

๐ŸŒŠ

Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy โ€” indicator of older infrastructure

1.6%

EPA Radon Zone 2 โ€” moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 31808

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 31808 served by HARRIS COUNTY WATER SYSTEM can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • โ€ขTest for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • โ€ขTest for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • โ€ขSend samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in GA for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

๐Ÿ›ก What Should You Do? โ€” ZIP 31808 Recommendations

  • โš  Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • โš  Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula โ€” use certified bottled or filtered water
  • โš  Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • โš  Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

๐Ÿบ

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide โ†’
โš—๏ธ

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide โ†’

Frequently Asked Questions โ€” ZIP 31808 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 31808?+
Tap water in 31808 (Fortson, GA) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 31808 (Fortson, GA)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 31808, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in GA. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Georgia Environmental Protection Division for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 31808?+
Tap water in 31808 is classified as Soft with an estimated mineral hardness of 56 mg/L (3.3 GPG). No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Should I test private well water in 31808?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 31808 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 31808 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 31808. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 31808?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 31808. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 31808?+
Tap water in ZIP code 31808 is provided by HARRIS COUNTY WATER SYSTEM (EPA ID: GA1450011), serving approximately 22,922 residents.
What water filter should I use in 31808?+
Based on water metrics for 31808, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 31808 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by HARRIS COUNTY WATER SYSTEM. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data โ†’