Macon has the tastiest water in Georgia, a new vote says. Here’s what’s in it.

Macon has been named Georgia’s tastiest water yet again.

The Macon Water Authority released its annual report Monday announcing that Macon’s drinking water had no violations of quality standards. The Georgia Section of the American Water Works Association also named Macon’s water as the best tasting in the state in 2023.

Macon has a solid track record when it comes to its drinking water, with MWA routinely winning awards. In 2009, Macon’s water was named the best-tasting drinking water in North America.

So, what goes into Macon’s drinking water? Where does it come from and how has it become so renowned for its flavor?

What’s in Macon’s water?

Macon’s drinking water is processed according to regulations from the state and the Environmental Protection Agency. These rules limit the levels of certain substances and contaminants to keep drinking water clean and safe for consumption.

While some contaminants are present in most drinking water sources, the water treatment process coupled with testing by MWA ensures levels stay at or below state and federal standards.

MWA also tests the water’s “turbidity,” which refers to cloudiness. Turbidity is often the result of soil runoff, and is an indicator of the MWA’s filtration system. The report said Macon water’s average range of turbidity stayed well below the maximum level of contamination, which is the highest level of a contaminant allowed in water for it to still be considered safe.

The Macon Water Authority also adds some chemicals – including chlorine, chlorine dioxide and fluoride – for health and hygiene benefits. The addition of these chemicals is also regulated by state and federal rules and backed by scientific evidence.

Other substances in Macon’s drinking water are by-products of the treatment process, such as chlorite, haloacetic acids and total trihalomethanes, but are not harmful at detected levels, according to the report.

How is Macon’s water processed?

The Macon Water Authority uses a surface water treatment system, meaning water comes from rainwater runoff that flows into the Ocmulgee River or Javors Lucas Lake, MWA’s raw storage reservoir.

Once MWA collects the water, it goes to the Frank C. Amerson Jr. Water Treatment Plant. There, sediments and larger, solid contaminants are removed and the water is disinfected to remove bacteria and microorganisms. Smaller and hard-to-remove contaminants are filtered out when the water passes through layers of sand, gravel, charcoal and other substances.

Treated water is stored in closed tanks either at the plant or in ground and elevated storage tanks that make up MWA’s storage system. The filtered water will be safe and ready for use by MWA customers.