The Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities Department announced on May 27 the release of its Drinking Water Quality Report, also known as the Consumer Confidence Report, which details information about local water sources, treatment processes, and monitoring results for 2025. The report highlights the department’s efforts to meet or exceed all state and federal drinking water standards.
In 2025, more than 5 billion gallons of water were delivered throughout Athens-Clarke County. Certified operators and lab technicians conducted over 9,500 laboratory tests and approximately 95,000 treatment process tests to ensure compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Georgia Environmental Protection Division standards. The report provides a comprehensive display of test results for substances found in the water; if a substance does not appear in the table, it was not detected by the department.
These testing efforts are supported by operators, maintenance teams, lab technicians, and distribution crews who work continuously to maintain system efficiency. “The employees of the Public Utilities Department work, day in and day out, to ensure that our homes, schools, and businesses continue to receive safe, reliable, and high-quality water services,” said Hugh Ogle, Assistant Director of the Public Utilities Department.
The J.G. Beacham Drinking Water Treatment Plant received the Georgia Association of Water Professionals Gold Award for achieving full compliance with all state and federal regulations. To increase accessibility to this information, customers will receive a summary by mail; a full version is available at www.accgov.com/ccr or can be picked up at the Water Conservation Office at 124 E. Hancock Ave., Athens.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about their drinking water quality through these resources or by contacting Jackie Sherry at 706-613-3729 or jackie.sherry@accgov.com. The City of Athens operated as a consolidated city-county government providing unified public services across Athens-Clarke County—including management of parks and historic facilities—according to the official website.
