Is Holly Hill, SC Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
94.4/100
waterverge.com Holly Hill, SC — Water Quality Report
Holly Hill's drinking water received a grade of A (94.4 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,710 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.7 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 7 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Holly Hill's water
Holly Hill ranks #10 out of 196 cities in South Carolina for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Holly Hill relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Holly Hill may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Holly Hill, SC water safe to drink?
Holly Hill's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (94.4/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,710 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Holly Hill
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Holly Hill's water quality assessment. Grade: A (94.4/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4858). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4829). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Holly Hill's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Holly Hill's water system has 7 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Orangeburg County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2017. 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 Holly Hill's water come from?
Holly Hill's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,710 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Holly Hill residents can do
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.
Holly Hill'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 Holly Hill
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Holly Hill, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 0 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
ADAMS AN OLDCASTLE CO - HOLLY HILL HOLLY HILL, SC29059 | Lead | 0 | 0.4 mi |
CAROLINA POLE INC EUTAWVILLE, SC29048 | — | — | 4.9 mi |
HOLCIM (US) INC HOLLY HILL PLANT HOLLY HILL, SC29059 | — | — | 3.6 mi |
LONGLEAF PACKGING VANCE, SC29163 | — | — | 8.1 mi |
ARGOS CEMENT HARLEYVILLE PLANT HARLEYVILLE, SC29448 | — | — | 7.0 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtOrangeburg County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 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
Orangeburg County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2017. 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. | 1.7 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Holly Hill compares by contaminant
Explore where Holly Hill ranks among all South Carolina cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Holly Hill's water comes from
Holly Hill's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,710 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Holly Hill
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOLLY HILL TOWN OF (SC3810002) | SC3810002 | 1,710 | GW |
How Holly Hill compares
Full South Carolina rankings →Holly Hill's score of 94.4/100 is above the average of 77/100 among major South Carolina cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View South Carolina rankings →About Holly Hill, SC
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Holly Hill's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Orangeburg
Frequently asked questions
Is Holly Hill, SC tap water safe to drink?
Holly Hill's water quality earned a grade of A (94.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #10 out of 196 cities tested in South Carolina.
What contaminants are in Holly Hill's water?
Lead was measured at 1.7 ppb (90th percentile). 7 violations are on record.
How is Holly Hill'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 Holly Hill?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Holly Hill's water come from?
Holly Hill's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,710 residents.
Is Holly Hill's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Holly Hill uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 7 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Holly Hill's water compare to other cities?
Holly Hill ranks #10 out of 196 cities in South Carolina (better than 95% of state cities) and #507 out of 15744 cities nationally (97th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Holly Hill's small water system affect quality?
Holly Hill's system serves approximately 1,710 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 7 violations on record.