Is Lincolnville, SC Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 9 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
82.8/100
waterverge.com Lincolnville, SC — Water Quality Report
Lincolnville's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,980 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.1 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 33 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
What to know about Lincolnville's water
Lincolnville ranks #125 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, Lincolnville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 12 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Lincolnville, SC water safe to drink?
Lincolnville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,980 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Lincolnville
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Lincolnville's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.8/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
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, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Surface Water Treatment Rule, Chlorine, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Lincolnville's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Lincolnville's water system has 33 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved. 12 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
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. Local water sources include Ashley River, Sawmill Branch, Ashley River Below Summerville.
Where does Lincolnville's water come from?
Lincolnville's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,980 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Ashley River (stream), Sawmill Branch (river), Ashley River Below Summerville (stream).
What Lincolnville residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Lincolnville'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.
Lincolnville'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 Lincolnville
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Lincolnville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 117 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
EVERRIS NA INC NORTH CHARLESTON, SC29418 | Manganese compounds | 94 | 8.2 mi |
MERCEDES-BENZ VANS LLC LADSON, SC29456 | Zinc compounds | 13 | 4.1 mi |
SEA FOX BOAT CO INC. MONCKS CORNER, SC29461 | Styrene | 5 | 9.7 mi |
CENTURY ALUMINUM OF SOUTH CAROLINA GOOSE CREEK, SC29445 | Manganese | 4 | 5.8 mi |
US DOD USAF JOINT BASE CHARLESTON AIR RANGES JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC29404 | — | — | 9.1 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtCharleston 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
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. | 0.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Lincolnville compares by contaminant
Explore where Lincolnville ranks among all South Carolina cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Lincolnville's water comes from
Lincolnville'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 1,980 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Lincolnville
Lincolnville is located near 3 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Lincolnville
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINCOLNVILLE TOWN OF (SC1010007) | SC1010007 | 1,980 | SWP |
How Lincolnville compares
Full South Carolina rankings →Lincolnville's score of 82.8/100 is above the average of 77/100 among major South Carolina cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 5 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View South Carolina rankings →About Lincolnville, SC
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Lincolnville's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Charleston
Frequently asked questions
Is Lincolnville, SC tap water safe to drink?
Lincolnville's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #125 out of 196 cities tested in South Carolina.
What contaminants are in Lincolnville's water?
Lead was measured at 0.1 ppb (90th percentile). 33 violations are on record.
How is Lincolnville'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 Lincolnville?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Lincolnville's water come from?
Lincolnville's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,980 residents.
How does Lincolnville's water compare to other cities?
Lincolnville ranks #125 out of 196 cities in South Carolina (better than 36% of state cities) and #6765 out of 15744 cities nationally (57th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Lincolnville's small water system affect quality?
Lincolnville's system serves approximately 1,980 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 33 violations on record.