Georgia’s rivers, streams, and lakes are vital for drinking water, recreation, and wildlife. But water quality isn’t the same everywhere—some areas are healthy and thriving, while others face risks from bacteria, nutrients, and sediment.

These interactive maps let you explore key water quality indicators across the state. See how E. coli, nitrates, phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity levels vary by location—and what that means for ecosystems and communities.

Click through the tabs to spot statewide patterns, pinpoint problem areas, and learn how water quality impacts your area.

E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. While most strains are harmless, certain types indicate fecal contamination in water, which can make people sick. Monitoring E. coli helps determine if water is safe for recreational use, such as swimming or boating.

Why it matters

• High E. coli levels can signal the presence of other harmful pathogens that may cause gastrointestinal illness.
• Because E. coli often comes from sewage or animal waste, its presence suggests that other contaminants — such as hormones, microplastics, heavy metals, cleaning chemicals, and other substances flushed into wastewater — may also be entering the water.

Use the interactive map to explore site-level trends and see how water quality varies across regions.

The two maps work together to give a fuller picture of water quality:

• The Average E. coli Levels map highlights sites where long-term contamination may pose a chronic risk to recreation and aquatic life.
• The E. coli Exceedance Frequency map shows how often unsafe conditions occur, revealing hotspots where even short-term spikes are common.

Together, they can help identify areas needing closer monitoring, infrastructure improvements, or public health advisories to reduce exposure to harmful bacteria.

Learn more about the EPA’s E. coli water quality standards

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is essential for fish and other aquatic organisms to survive. Healthy DO levels support vibrant ecosystems, while low levels can stress or even kill aquatic life. Monitoring DO helps us understand whether waterways can sustain biodiversity and detect areas at risk of becoming “dead zones.”

Why it matters

• Low DO often results from nutrient pollution, algal blooms, and warm water temperatures.
• Hypoxic zones (DO < 3 mg/L) are particularly hazardous, as most aquatic animals are unable to survive.

Use the interactive maps to explore site-level trends and see how oxygen levels vary across regions.

Average DO Levels (2016–2025)
This map shows dissolved oxygen concentrations across Georgia. Locations are color-coded to indicate potential risks:

• Healthy (≥ 6 mg/L): Supports most aquatic life.
• Caution (5–6 mg/L): May stress sensitive species.
• Stress Zone (3–5 mg/L): Risk of aquatic life impairment.
• Hypoxic (0–3 mg/L): Unsuitable for most aquatic fauna.

Together, this data highlights where oxygen conditions are ideal for aquatic life and where ecosystems may be under stress. It can help guide restoration efforts and focus attention on vulnerable waterways.

Note: DO naturally varies based on temperature, ecosystem, and other factors. Lower DO is not always a sign of harm, but extreme changes are often caused by human interference.

Learn more about the EPA’s dissolved oxygen water quality standards

Turbidity measures how clear or cloudy water is. High turbidity means water looks muddy and reduces how much light penetrates through, which can harm aquatic life and signal possible contamination. Monitoring turbidity helps assess water quality for recreation and aquatic health.

Why it matters

• Cloudy water can clog fish gills, block sunlight for aquatic plants, and transport pollutants attached to particles.
• High turbidity is often caused by sediment runoff, algae, or stormwater carrying suspended solids.

Use the interactive map to explore site-level trends and see how turbidity varies across regions.

Turbidity and Developed Land

This map overlays turbidity data with a developed land cover layer (2018–2023) to explore the relationship between urbanization and water clarity. Areas with higher percentages of developed land often show elevated turbidity, especially around cities and rapidly growing regions.

• Dark purple areas indicate high turbidity and dense urban development.
• Lighter areas show clearer water and less development.

By combining these datasets, the map helps identify where stormwater runoff from urban areas may be increasing sediment and pollutant loads in nearby rivers and streams. These insights can support efforts to reduce erosion, implement green infrastructure, and protect aquatic ecosystems.

Disclaimer
The EPA does not set strict national turbidity thresholds but provides a narrative guideline: suspended solids should not reduce light penetration for aquatic life by more than 10%. States may set their own numeric criteria.

For this map, turbidity data has been grouped into four categories to show general trends and highlight areas of concern.

Learn more about turbidity and EPA guidance

Nitrates are a common water contaminant that can pose risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Excess nitrates often come from agricultural runoff, septic systems, and wastewater discharges. While they are invisible and odorless, high levels in drinking water are linked to serious health issues, particularly for infants.

Why it matters

• Elevated nitrate levels can cause “blue baby syndrome” (methemoglobinemia) in infants.
• Nitrates fuel algae blooms, which can deplete oxygen and harm fish and aquatic life.

Use the interactive map to explore site-level trends and see how nitrate levels vary across regions.

Average Nitrate Levels (1980–2025)

This map shows the average nitrate concentration at monitoring sites across Georgia. Locations are color-coded to reflect whether levels are within or above federal safety standards:

• ≤ 10 mg/L: Meets EPA drinking water standard (low health risk).
• > 10 mg/L: Exceeds EPA drinking water standard (elevated infant risk).

This data highlights areas where nitrate levels in water sources exceed recommended limits, helping guide local monitoring and mitigation efforts.

Learn more about the EPA’s nitrate drinking water standard

Phosphorus is a nutrient essential for plant and animal growth, but too much in waterways can harm aquatic ecosystems. Elevated phosphorus levels often come from fertilizer runoff, wastewater discharges, and stormwater. Excess phosphorus can trigger algae blooms, which deplete oxygen and threaten fish and other aquatic life.

Why it matters

• High phosphorus levels promote eutrophication, leading to dense algae growth and low oxygen conditions (“dead zones”).
• Algae blooms can release toxins and disrupt recreation, fisheries, and drinking water supplies.

Use the interactive map to explore site-level trends and see how phosphorus levels vary across regions.

Average Phosphorus Levels (1980–2025)
This map shows the average phosphorus concentration at monitoring sites across Georgia. Locations are color-coded based on EPA reference levels for aquatic life:

• ≤ 0.1 mg/L: Meets EPA reference; protective of aquatic ecosystems.
• > 0.1 mg/L: Exceeds EPA reference; potential for eutrophication and harm to aquatic life.

This data helps identify areas where nutrient management and restoration efforts are critical to protecting water quality and aquatic biodiversity.

Learn more about phosphorus and EPA water quality guidelines

Conductivity is a measure of how well water can conduct electricity, which increases with the amount of dissolved ions like salts, minerals, and pollutants. While not a direct health hazard to humans, conductivity is a powerful indicator of changes in water chemistry—often tied to human activities like development, runoff, or pollution.

Why it matters

• Elevated conductivity can signal urban runoff, road salts, wastewater discharges, or salinity intrusion from sea-level rise.
• Low conductivity is typical of pristine headwaters and forested areas, providing a reference point for detecting pollution or land use change.

Use the interactive map to explore site-level conductivity patterns and track potential environmental impacts across regions.

Average Conductivity Levels
This map shows the average conductivity values at monitoring sites across Georgia. Locations are color-coded using categories informed by national benchmarks and peer-reviewed research:

• ≤ 50 µS/cm: Very Low – Typical of undeveloped headwaters and forested streams.
• 51–100 µS/cm: Low – Healthy range for most aquatic ecosystems.
• 101–250 µS/cm: Moderate – Mid-range values; may indicate some nutrient or urban input.
• 251–1000 µS/cm: High – Often linked to runoff, agriculture, or infrastructure degradation.
•  1000 µS/cm: Very High – May reflect industrial discharge, salinity intrusion, or untreated wastewater.

This data helps identify watersheds potentially impacted by pollution or development. Monitoring conductivity over time supports efforts to protect aquatic life and manage land use responsibly.

Note: Conductivity is influenced by many natural and human factors. While high conductivity alone does not confirm pollution, it can signal the presence of substances like heavy metals (which may be toxic) or salts (which are not always harmful). It serves as a general indicator of potential water quality concerns, not a definitive diagnosis.

Learn more about conductivity and stream reference conditions

Georgia’s waterways tell a complex story. Patterns in the maps highlight areas where water quality challenges are concentrated.

Where are the hotspots?

Clusters of unsafe E. coli and low dissolved oxygen levels appear in certain regions, signaling chronic contamination and potential ecological stress. These hotspots often overlap with urban areas, agricultural zones, or places with older infrastructure.

What drives poor water quality?

Factors like stormwater runoff from cities, leaky septic systems, agricultural fertilizers, and erosion contribute to degraded water quality. In some places, multiple stressors compound to create persistent issues.

Observed trends

Data collected by Georgia EPD and other organizations show that exceedances are more common during rainy seasons and in densely populated counties. Overlaying demographic and land use patterns reveals how environmental and social factors intersect.

Use these insights to understand not just where problems exist, but what might be causing them—and who is most affected.

EPA Water Quality Portal (WQP): A national database that aggregates water monitoring data from federal, state, and local agencies.

We are working from this trusted, aggregated source that already follows established monitoring and reporting standards. Our role is to process, organize, and analyze that data so it’s easier for communities to understand and use.

Clustering & frequencies: Instead of showing every individual sample, we used clustering techniques and exceedance frequencies to highlight areas with repeated issues.

Categorization: Data was grouped into ranges aligned with EPA guidelines (or narrative thresholds where numeric standards don’t exist) to simplify interpretation for the public.

This approach balances scientific rigor with accessibility, making it easier for community members to spot trends and take action.

Clean water starts with informed communities and engaged citizens. Here’s how you can get involved:

Learn about local water issues

Explore the maps to see how water quality in your area compares across Georgia.

Speak up for clean water

Share concerns about local waterways with elected officials, environmental groups, or watershed alliances.

Protect water at home

Simple steps like maintaining septic systems, reducing fertilizer use, and supporting green infrastructure projects can make a difference.

Dive deeper with EPA tools

Check out How’s My Waterway and other EPA resources to learn more about water quality near you.