Rome Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Rome, Georgia operates the Bruce Hamler Water Treatment Facility, which withdraws water from two surface intakes on the Etowah River and the Oostanaula River. These rivers converge in Rome to form the Coosa River. The utility serves Rome and surrounding areas in Floyd County, maintaining current compliance with all Federal and State drinking water regulations. Annual water quality reports are published by the city and Floyd County, detailing treatment processes and compliance data for customers.

Rome's water supply originates in the Blue Ridge Mountains and flows through the Appalachian foothills, a region underlain by ancient Paleozoic limestone and clay deposits. The Etowah River begins near Dahlonega and carries dissolved minerals from limestone formations as it flows southwest to Rome. The region's calcium carbonate and magnesium-bearing limestone naturally mineralises the supply, creating a moderately hard character that impacts household plumbing and appliances.

At moderate hardness, residents experience visible scale buildup on fixtures, reduced soap lathering, and mineral deposits in appliances and plumbing. Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines are particularly affected, with annual appliance and plumbing maintenance costs typically ranging from $600 to $1,300 per household. A water softening system is recommended and typically pays for itself within 2–4 years through reduced maintenance. The City of Rome is undertaking design and construction of a reverse osmosis treatment plant specifically to remove PFAS from the drinking water supply; the water currently meets basic legal requirements though multiple contaminants have been detected above health advocacy guidelines.