Macon water safe as ‘forever chemicals’ exceed EPA limits elsewhere in GA, officials say
The Macon Water Authority said the local drinking water remains safe after six Georgia public water systems recently tested well above federal safety limits for “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, linked to cancer and immune system damage.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of man-made chemicals found in everyday products like nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing and firefighting foam. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally in the environment or in the human body and have been linked to cancer, immune system damage, and other serious health conditions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
“MWA’s drinking water source, the Ocmulgee River, spans hundreds of miles and flows through multiple communities and regions before reaching Macon. As a result, trace environmental compounds, including PFAS, can originate upstream,” the press release said. “MWA takes seriously its responsibility to treat and test this water to ensure that any such compounds are reduced to levels that meet or exceed all safety standards before being delivered to customers.”
Six Georgia public water systems have tested over the EPA limit, according to a USA Today analysis of federal testing data, which was last updated in January. Augusta-Richmond County at nearly 11 times over; Lafayette at 7.1 times; Chattooga County at 4.5 times; Columbus at 4.3 times; Calhoun at 3.7 times; and Chickamauga at 3.1 times.
But not in Macon.
MWA’s testing detected only a few PFAS compounds, all at extremely low concentrations measured in parts per trillion, comparable to a few drops of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. All detected levels fall below the EPA’s proposed drinking water standards, according to MWA.
Full PFAS monitoring results will be published in MWA’s annual Consumer Confidence Report, expected by July.
“Protecting public health is our top priority,” said Michel Wanna, MWA’s interim executive director. “These results confirm that our water remains safe to drink, and we will continue to proactively monitor and ensure the highest level of water quality for our community.”
The announcement from MWA comes as Georgia lawmakers debate three bills related to PFAS liability, which critics say would protect corporations responsible for PFAS pollution rather than the communities affected by it.
House Bill 211 would provide legal immunity to any entity that uses, receives or disposes of PFAS-containing products but does not manufacture them, barring private lawsuits while preserving the Georgia EPD’s authority to bring enforcement actions.
Under Senate Bill 577, cities and counties would lose the ability to file their own PFAS contamination claims, with that authority consolidated exclusively with the Georgia attorney general.
A third measure, House Bill 1212, would require landowners who win PFAS property damage claims to spend that money on cleanup within three years — or face a 50% tax on the award. Landowners who use the funds for remediation or set them aside in a dedicated trust would be exempt.
This story was originally published March 24, 2026 at 1:24 PM.
