Is Kiawah Island, 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 ↓
88.9/100
waterverge.com Kiawah Island, SC — Water Quality Report
Kiawah Island's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 900 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.6 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 2 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Kiawah Island's water
Kiawah Island ranks #57 out of 196 cities in South Carolina for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Kiawah Island may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Kiawah Island, SC water safe to drink?
Kiawah Island's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (88.9/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 900 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Kiawah Island
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Kiawah Island's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.9/100).
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: Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Kiawah Island's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Kiawah Island's water system has 2 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 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 Kiawah Island's water come from?
Kiawah Island's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 900 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Kiawah Island 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.
Kiawah Island'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
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. | 2.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Kiawah Island compares by contaminant
Explore where Kiawah Island ranks among all South Carolina cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Kiawah Island's water comes from
Kiawah Island'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 private ownership and serves approximately 900 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Kiawah Island
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CALLAWASSIE ISLAND (SC0750041) | SC0750041 | 900 | SWP |
How Kiawah Island compares
Full South Carolina rankings →Kiawah Island's score of 88.9/100 is above the average of 77/100 among major South Carolina cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View South Carolina rankings →About Kiawah Island, 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 Kiawah Island's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Beaufort
Frequently asked questions
Is Kiawah Island, SC tap water safe to drink?
Kiawah Island's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #57 out of 196 cities tested in South Carolina.
What contaminants are in Kiawah Island's water?
Lead was measured at 2.6 ppb (90th percentile). 2 violations are on record.
How is Kiawah Island'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 Kiawah Island?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Kiawah Island's water come from?
Kiawah Island's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 900 residents.
How does Kiawah Island's water compare to other cities?
Kiawah Island ranks #57 out of 196 cities in South Carolina (better than 71% of state cities) and #3184 out of 15744 cities nationally (80th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Kiawah Island's small water system affect quality?
Kiawah Island's system serves approximately 900 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 2 violations on record.