Despite these positive findings, Georgia is estimated to have around 46,000 lead water lines, which is lower than many other states.

In response to the national issue of lead contamination, a new federal rule finalized in October 2024 mandates the replacement of all lead water pipes in the U.S. within a decade.

Recent inspections by metro Atlanta's largest water utilities, including Cobb County Water System and Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, have confirmed that their service lines are free of lead.

Under the new rule, water systems are required to identify all service line materials, including those on private property, and must make multiple attempts to contact homeowners for consent to inspect.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan has highlighted the urgency of addressing lead service lines, with President Biden committing to tackle this public health crisis.

The city of Atlanta has reported that none of its 187,000 service lines contain lead, primarily utilizing copper pipes in its infrastructure.

Although the new regulations will take effect in 2027, local utilities are encouraged to begin the replacement process as soon as possible.

Fulton County plans to investigate unknown pipes in early 2025 and will replace galvanized pipes that may have lead connections as a precautionary measure.

Lead exposure poses significant health risks, particularly to children, and can lead to severe conditions in adults, including heart disease and kidney damage.

The new regulations also lower permissible lead levels in drinking water and mandate testing in schools and daycare centers.

Nationwide, lead pipes are estimated to supply water to over 9 million homes, with replacement costs potentially exceeding $45 billion.

DeKalb County is actively inspecting unknown service line materials and has communicated with residents about the issue, having received funding for inventory and replacement.