Is Jefferson, 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 ↓
92/100
waterverge.com Jefferson, SC — Water Quality Report
Jefferson's drinking water received a grade of A (92 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 948 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 4.6 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 18 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Jefferson's water
Jefferson ranks #26 out of 196 cities in South Carolina for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Jefferson purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, Jefferson may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Jefferson, SC water safe to drink?
Jefferson's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (92/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 948 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Jefferson
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Jefferson's water quality assessment. Grade: A (92/100).
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: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Jefferson's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Jefferson's water system has 18 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Chesterfield 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. Local water sources include Buffalo Creek.
Where does Jefferson's water come from?
Jefferson's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 948 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Buffalo Creek (river).
What Jefferson 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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Jefferson'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 Jefferson
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Jefferson, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 8,352 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
OCEANAGOLD HAILE GOLD MINE KERSHAW, SC29067 | Manganese And Manganese Compounds | 8,351 | 9.6 mi |
AALBERTS INTEGRATED PIPING SYSTEMS AMERICAS PAGELAND, SC29728 | Lead | 0 | 7.2 mi |
AALBERTS INTEGRATED PIPING SYSTEMS AMERICAS PAGELAND, SC29728 | Copper | 0 | 7.1 mi |
DOMAN TUCKER LUMBER COS LLC PAGELAND, SC29728 | — | — | 8.8 mi |
OLDCASTLE LAWN & GARDEN PAGELAND, SC29728 | — | — | 6.2 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of Jefferson
Superfund sites nearby
Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
- BREWER GOLD MINE1.6 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtChesterfield 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
Chesterfield 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. | 4.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Jefferson compares by contaminant
Explore where Jefferson ranks among all South Carolina cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Jefferson's water comes from
Jefferson purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Jefferson's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 948 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Jefferson
Jefferson is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Jefferson
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFERSON TOWN OF (SC1310005) | SC1310005 | 948 | GWP |
How Jefferson compares
Full South Carolina rankings →Jefferson's score of 92/100 is above the average of 77/100 among major South Carolina cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View South Carolina rankings →About Jefferson, SC
Wikipedia →Jefferson is a town in western Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States at the junction of SC routes 265 and 151. Jefferson is located in the Piedmont region of South Carolina just in the edge meeting the Sandhills region. Jefferson is located 16 miles northwest of McBee, 8 miles south of Pageland, 50 miles southeast of Charlotte, North Carolina, and 70 miles north-northeast of the state capitol Columbia.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Jefferson's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Chesterfield
Frequently asked questions
Is Jefferson, SC tap water safe to drink?
Jefferson's water quality earned a grade of A (92/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #26 out of 196 cities tested in South Carolina.
What contaminants are in Jefferson's water?
Lead was measured at 4.6 ppb (90th percentile). 18 violations are on record.
How is Jefferson'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 Jefferson?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Jefferson's water come from?
Jefferson's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 948 residents.
What health violations has Jefferson's water system had?
Jefferson has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2007. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is Jefferson's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Jefferson 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 18 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 Jefferson's water compare to other cities?
Jefferson ranks #26 out of 196 cities in South Carolina (better than 87% of state cities) and #1426 out of 15744 cities nationally (91th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Jefferson's small water system affect quality?
Jefferson's system serves approximately 948 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 18 violations on record.