Lee County, GA – The Lee County Utilities Authority has issued a public notice regarding a drinking water standards violation involving fluoride levels in the county’s water system. View the April 8, 2026 notice here.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has determined that the Lee County Utilities Authority Water System, a community water system, exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for fluoride, in violation of the Georgia Rules for Safe Drinking Water (Rule 391-3-5-.18) and federal regulations under Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §141.62.
The MCL for fluoride is 4.0 milligrams per liter (mg/L), based on a running annual average (RAA) of sample results collected over four quarters.
The original violation occurred during the third quarter of 2025 (July 1 through September 30), when testing at Entry Point 310 showed a fluoride level of 7.5 mg/L. Compliance monitoring data indicate that during the first quarter of 2026 (January 1 through March 31), the running annual average at Entry Point 310 remained above the allowable limit, resulting in an additional violation.
Other monitoring locations within the system did not indicate exceedances of the fluoride standard.
Fluoride is commonly added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay; however, levels above the established standard may be a concern with long-term exposure.
Compliance with the fluoride standard is based on a running annual average. Accordingly, a single elevated sample result may affect compliance status for up to four consecutive quarters. As a result, the system may continue to report a violation until sufficient subsequent sample results reduce the running annual average below the MCL, even if current fluoride levels are within acceptable limits.
To address the issue, the Lee County Utilities Authority implemented a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) approved by EPD on October 6, 2025. The corrective measures included:
- Relocating the sampling location further downstream from the fluoride injection point
- Adjusting the fluoride chemical feed rate
These corrective actions were completed on September 19, 2025, and have been implemented to address the identified issue and support a return to compliance.
Customers require no immediate action. This notice is being provided in accordance with state and federal public notification requirements. The Lee County Utilities Authority will continue to monitor the system and coordinate with EPD to maintain compliance with all applicable drinking water standards.
For more information, customers may contact the Lee County Utilities Authority at (229) 759-6056.
Media Contact:
Lee County Utilities Authority
Chris Boswell, General Manager
cboswell@leecountyga.gov