Our Water is Contaminated: Georgia Findings and Solutions
Most of us assume that our water is clean because we live in the United States—until we realize what’s really coming out of our taps. I was at a restaurant in Buford recently where I could smell the chlorination in the glasses of water that they provided. Most people won’t notice it since they’re simply used to it, but we’ve outfitted our home with a water filtration system that removes any disinfectant byproducts. As such, it’s easy for me to pick up on any contaminants in our region’s tap water. At Rx-Plumbing, we’re huge advocates for clean water and can personally vouch for the difference that a whole home water filtration system makes. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Federal water tests are available to the public, so we’ve collected the findings of Cumming’s water tests below so you can see for yourself.
The Truth About Cumming’s Water
Living in Georgia has many perks, but water quality isn’t always one of them. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Americans protect their health by knowing their environment. They’ve created a water database from test results provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. EPA to make it easy for anyone to view the water condition in their own neighborhood. In this article, we’re going to focus on the water results of Cumming, Georgia, but you can also search for your own city here. We’ve summarized their findings below so you can quickly see their impact on your family’s health. While these meet federal legal standards, it’s important to know that those standards haven’t been updated in the last 20 years and these amounts do exceed the current health-based guidelines set by experts.
Nine Contaminants Found
EWG identified nine contaminants in Cumming’s water supply that exceed these health guidelines. These include harmful substances that may increase the risk of serious health problems, such as cancer and complications during pregnancy.Haloacetic Acids (HAA9)
One of the most alarming findings was the level of haloacetic acids (HAA9) in the water. These are a classification of nine different disinfection byproducts that form when chlorine used to clean the water reacts with organic materials. Cumming’s water has 33.0 parts per billion (ppb) of HAA9, an amount that is 550 times higher than EWG’s health guideline of 0.06 ppb. 550 times! While this is a universal problem across the U.S., the amount in Cumming is higher than both the state and national average.Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Another dangerous group of chemicals found in the water is Trihalomethanes (TTHMs). These also come from water treatment processes for appropriate disinfection. The water in Cumming has 32.1 ppb of TTHMs—214 times higher than EWG’s guideline of 0.15 ppb. Like HAA9, TTHMs are linked to cancer and other health issues, making them a significant concern for families. This amount is right around the state and national average, but that doesn’t excuse its presence in our drinking water!Old Legal Standards
As we mentioned above, many of the federal standards for water contaminants haven’t been updated in 20 years. This means that the “legal limits” aren’t a good reflection of what’s safe for your family. EWG’s guidelines are based on up-to-date science and provide a better standard for what we should consider clean and safe water.
Why Disinfection Byproducts Are Dangerous
It sounds counterintuitive that our process for disinfecting our water to make it safe for consumption is actually causing harmful byproducts that render it unsafe again. But that’s the sad reality. Disinfection byproducts like HAA9 and TTHMs form when water treatment plants use chlorine to kill bacteria. We understand that this disinfection is necessary, but these byproducts can cause serious health risks when they don’t undergo a further filtration process, such as:
Cancer: Studies have shown a link between these chemicals and bladder, colon, and rectal cancers.
Pregnancy Complications: Exposure to disinfection byproducts has been connected to low birth weight, premature births, and developmental issues in children.
For families, especially those with young kids or expecting mothers, these risks make it clear why investing in a whole-home water filtration system is a smart choice.
What is a Whole Home Water Filtration System?
A whole home water filtration system is installed at the point where water enters your home, ensuring that every faucet, showerhead, and appliance receives filtered water. Unlike faucet filters or pitcher systems that only treat drinking water, a whole home system provides your entire household with filtered water from every source. Here’s how the system works, explained in simple steps:
Pre-filters: These filters catch larger things like dirt, sand, and rust. They protect the system and help it last longer.
Activated carbon filters: These filters get rid of chlorine, bad smells, and weird tastes. They also remove chemicals called VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that might be in your water.
Reverse Osmosis Membrane: This is the main part of the system. It uses a special filter to block tiny contaminants like heavy metals, bacteria, and disinfectant byproducts, cleaning up to 99% of the water.
Post-filters: After the main filter, the water goes through another carbon filter to make sure it tastes fresh and clean.
Optional Remineralization Filter: Some systems add healthy minerals, like calcium and magnesium, back into the water to improve its taste and balance its pH.
The Benefits of a Whole Home Water Filtration System
If you’re wondering whether a whole home water filtration system is worth it, consider these life-changing benefits:
1. Clean, Safe Water
Filtered water eliminates the harmful contaminants that are ever-present in our water, making it safer for drinking, cooking, and even washing our produce. Whether you’re filling up a glass of water or brewing a pot of coffee, you can rest easy knowing your family is consuming the cleanest water available.
2. Better Skin and Hair Health
Hard water and chlorine can dry out your skin and hair, leading to irritation and dullness. With a filtration system, your showers and baths become gentler on your skin and leave your hair feeling softer and healthier.
3. Improved Taste
Filtered water doesn’t just make a difference in health—it tastes better, too. From your morning coffee to your evening tea, you’ll notice the enhanced flavor when cooking and drinking with clean, pure water.
4. Longer-Lasting Appliances
Hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium can cause scale buildup in appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters. Over time, this leads to inefficiency and costly repairs. A water filtration system will even protect your appliances and save you money in the long run.
5. Reduced Plumbing Issues
Contaminants and hard water can corrode pipes, leading to leaks and clogs. A whole home system helps to prevent these issues, boosting the longevity of your plumbing system.
How Rx-Plumbing Can Help
Our team firmly believes in the benefits of these systems and has them in our own homes. We’re Aquasana’s registered installers for our region and have the expertise you can trust. We’d love to answer any questions you may have about our region’s water quality, the filtration system, or the installation process and cost. One of our recent customers, Noel Coleman, had the following to say about their experience with our installation process:
"Alex and Marin were fantastic. Did the job right, fast, and were very easy to work with. They installed a whole house water filtration system for us as well as came out to fix an emergency leak one night when a large truck damaged a waterline on our property. Would highly recommend RX Plumbing."
When you choose Rx-Plumbing, you’re getting a team that’s committed to providing five-star service with a personal touch and leading expertise.
Your Local Water Filtration Experts
In Georgia, clean water doesn’t come standard. With findings like 550 times the recommended limit of haloacetic acids (HAA9) in Cumming’s water, the importance of filtering what comes out of our taps has never been clearer. Contaminants like HAA9 and total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) may meet outdated federal standards, but their potential to cause serious health issues like cancer and pregnancy complications makes relying on unfiltered water a risk we can’t ignore.
At Rx, we believe in proactive plumbing education and solutions that protect your health, your home, and your family. There’s nothing we’d love more than to bring clean, safe water to your entire household with a whole home water filtration system. Make 2025 the year you invest in your family’s health and safety by taking matters into your hands.
Call us today to learn more about whole home water filtration systems and start enjoying the difference of clean water for every tap in your home. It’s never too late to start enjoying clean water.
