---
title: O.C.G.A. § 12-5-174. Powers and duties of Board of Natural Resources as to public water systems.
collection: code
id: 12-5-174
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 12-5-174 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-5-174
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-5-174.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-5-174/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t12-(v10)-2021-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=67595359_0#page=499
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES / WATER RESOURCES / WELLS AND DRINKING WATER / PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 12-5-174. Powers and duties of Board of Natural Resources as to public water systems.

(a) In the performance of its duties, the Board of Natural Resources shall:

(1) Establish by rule or regulation standards of quality for water that will be distributed in public water systems;

(2) Establish by rule or regulation such policies, requirements, or standards governing the source, collection, distribution, purification, treatment, and storage of water for public water systems as it deems necessary for the reasonable and proper use thereof in conformity with the intent of this part;

(3) Adopt, modify, repeal, and promulgate such rules and regulations, including but not limited to the Georgia primary drinking water regulations, as are necessary for the proper administration of this part, which rules and regulations shall be applicable throughout the state and shall govern the installation, use, and operation of systems; cross-connection control; quality control; laboratory certification; and methods and means for treating and furnishing water to the public by way of public water systems;

(4) Adopt, modify, repeal, and promulgate Georgia secondary drinking water regulations at such time as, in the judgment of the director or the administrator, they are necessary to protect the public welfare.

(b) The powers and duties enumerated in subsection (a) of this Code section may be exercised and performed by the Board of Natural Resources through such duly authorized agents and employees as it deems fit and proper.

## History

Code 1933, § 88-2603, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499, § 1; Ga. L. 1973, p. 1289, § 2; Ga. L. 1977, p. 351, § 4.

## Administrative Rules and Regulations

Rules for safe drinking water, Official Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, Subject 391-3-5.