Is Helena, SC Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 8 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
82/100
waterverge.com Helena, SC — Water Quality Report
Helena's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,039 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 4.3 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 13 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
What to know about Helena's water
Helena ranks #130 out of 196 cities in South Carolina for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Helena may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Helena, SC water safe to drink?
Helena's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,039 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Helena
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Helena's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3597). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4677). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: TTHM.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Helena's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Helena's water system has 13 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Charleston County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2016. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Helena's water come from?
Helena's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,039 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Helena residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Helena's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Helena's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Helena
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Helena, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 242 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
KRAFT HEINZ CO NEWBERRY, SC29108 | Ammonia | 239 | 1.8 mi |
KISWIRE INC NEWBERRY, SC29108 | Zinc compounds | 3 | 5.6 mi |
MACLEAN POWER SYSTEMS LLC NEWBERRY, SC29108 | — | — | 0.5 mi |
VALMONT COMPOSITE STRUCTURES NEWBERRY NEWBERRY, SC29108 | — | — | 2.5 mi |
DONCASTERS TRUCAST INC NEWBERRY, SC29108 | — | — | 5.6 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D4 — exceptional droughtBeaufort County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 24.8% of the county is in D4 (exceptional) drought. Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Charleston County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2016. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 4.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Helena compares by contaminant
Explore where Helena ranks among all South Carolina cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Helena's water comes from
Helena's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,039 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Helena
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARBOR ISLAND (SC0750013) | SC0750013 | 1,039 | SWP |
How Helena compares
Full South Carolina rankings →Helena's score of 82/100 is on par with the average of 77/100 among major South Carolina cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 6 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View South Carolina rankings →About Helena, SC
Wikipedia →Kiawah is a sea island, or barrier island, on the Atlantic coast of the United States. Located 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina, it is a seasonal beach and golf community. It is home to the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, with vacation houses and condos, beaches, golf courses, and other resort-like amenities. As of the 2020 census, Kiawah Island's full-time population was 2,013, up from 1,163 at the 2000 census. During the busy season, the population balloons to over 10,000. The island is part of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Alternative spellings and variants of the name itself include "Kiawa", "Kittiwar", and "Kittiwah". The island, has a per capita income of $47,782, the fifth highest in South Carolina.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Helena's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Beaufort
Frequently asked questions
Is Helena, SC tap water safe to drink?
Helena's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #130 out of 196 cities tested in South Carolina.
What contaminants are in Helena's water?
Lead was measured at 4.3 ppb (90th percentile). 13 violations are on record.
How is Helena's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Helena?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Helena's water come from?
Helena's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,039 residents.
What health violations has Helena's water system had?
Helena has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in February 2016. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 8 violations remain unresolved.
How does Helena's water compare to other cities?
Helena ranks #130 out of 196 cities in South Carolina (better than 34% of state cities) and #7226 out of 15744 cities nationally (54th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Helena's small water system affect quality?
Helena's system serves approximately 1,039 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 13 violations on record.