POLLUTION LOCATOR| Water | State Clean Water Act Status Report
Clean Water Act Status: GEORGIA
 
 
  • Clean Water Act Comparative Ranking
    Cleanest/Best States National Average Dirtiest/Worst States
    0%         50%         100%

    Percentage of Surface Waters with Impaired or Threatened Uses (state + EPA data):
    Number of Impaired Waterbodies (as reported by the state):

    NOTE: Data limitations affect the accuracy of these rankings.

    Rank counties in GEORGIA or in the U.S. by assessed use impairments.
    Rank watersheds in GEORGIA by assessed use impairments
    Rank states by assessed use impairments, impairments due to specific causes, or impairments due to specific sources

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  • 1998 Clean Water Act Status
    GEORGIA contains a portion of 52 watersheds.
    Percentage of Surface Waters with Reported Problems (state + EPA data): 12%
    Number of Waterbodies with Reported Problems (as reported by the state): 584
    Beneficial Use Most Frequently Impaired Percent of All Impairments
    Fish Consumption 78%
    Primary Contact Recreation (Swimming) 7%
    Drinking Water Supply 4%
    Shellfish Consumption 1%
    Aesthetics / Scenic 0%
    Beneficial uses not reported for 100% of waterbodies.


    Priority for Regulation     Number of Waterbodies
    Targeted 3
    High 39
    Medium 124
    Low 340
    Not Assessed for TMDL Priority 1
    Not Reported to US EPA for TMDL Priority 77
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  • Leading Pollutants/Stressors of Surface Waters
    Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 542
    Percent of Rivers, Streams and Creeks in GEORGIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 12%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Pathogens 45%
    Impaired Biological Community 32%
    Metals 27%
    Fish Consumption Advisory 10%
    Low Dissolved Oxygen/Organic Enrichment 9%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 35
    Percent of Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds in GEORGIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 94%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Fish Consumption Advisory 71%
    Metals 23%
    pH 14%
    Mercury 11%
    Pathogens 11%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Estuaries, Bays, and Coasts
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 7
    Percent of Estuaries and Bays in GEORGIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 100%
    Percent of Coastal Shorelines in GEORGIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 0%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Fish Consumption Advisory 71%
    Impaired Biological Community 14%
    Other Habitat Alterations 14%
    Pathogens 14%
    Low Dissolved Oxygen/Organic Enrichment 14%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


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  • Leading Sources of Water Quality Problems
    Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 542 (cause not reported for 13%)
    Percent of Rivers, Streams and Creeks in GEORGIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 12%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Nonpoint Sources 45%
    Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers 39%
    Impairment source not reported 13%
    Municipal Point Sources 7%
    Industrial Point Sources 4%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 35 (cause not reported for 2%)
    Percent of Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds in GEORGIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 94%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Nonpoint Sources 80%
    Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers 26%
    Municipal Point Sources 6%
    Impairment source not reported 3%
    Industrial Point Sources 3%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Estuaries, Bays, and Coasts
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 7 (cause not reported for 14%)
    Percent of Estuaries and Bays in GEORGIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 100%
    Percent of Coastal Shorelines in GEORGIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 0%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Nonpoint Sources 71%
    Municipal Point Sources 29%
    Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers 29%
    Impairment source not reported 14%
    Industrial Point Sources 14%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


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