Is Mill Spring, SC Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Mill Spring ranks. What to do next ↓
95/100
Mill Spring, SC — Water Quality Report
Mill Spring's drinking water received a grade of A+ (95 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 838 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 1 violation on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Mill Spring's water
Mill Spring ranks #8 out of 196 cities in South Carolina for water quality, placing it one of the best 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, Mill Spring may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Mill Spring, SC water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Mill Spring's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (95/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 838 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Mill Spring
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Mill Spring's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (95/100).
Contaminants: TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4829). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3597). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Mill Spring's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Mill Spring's water system has 1 total violation on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Spartanburg County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2015. 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 North Pacolet River, South Pacolet River Nr Campobello, Lake William C. Bowen, Pacolet River, Lawsons Fork Creek.
Where does Mill Spring's water come from?
Mill Spring's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 838 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include North Pacolet River (river), South Pacolet River Nr Campobello (river), Lake William C. Bowen (lake), Pacolet River (river), Lawsons Fork Creek (river).
What Mill Spring 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.
Mill Spring'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
Flood & disaster history
Spartanburg County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2015. 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Mill Spring compares by contaminant
Explore where Mill Spring ranks among all South Carolina cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Mill Spring's water comes from
Mill Spring'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 838 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Mill Spring
Mill Spring is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Mill Spring
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLK COUNTY WATER SYSTEM | NC1075010 | 838 | SWP |
How Mill Spring compares
Full South Carolina rankings →Mill Spring's score of 95/100 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 Mill Spring, SC
Wikipedia →Inman is a city in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States, part of the Spartanburg metropolitan area. With a population of 3,665 at the 2020 census, Inman residents have access to nearby Lake Bowen that affords water recreational sports and fishing, and Inman is accessible by Interstate 26 and Interstate 85. The city contains a historic main street district, several houses of worship, and a school district.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Mill Spring's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Polk
Frequently asked questions
Is Mill Spring, SC tap water safe to drink?
Mill Spring's water quality earned a grade of A+ (95/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #8 out of 196 cities tested in South Carolina.
What contaminants are in Mill Spring's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 1 violation is on record.
How is Mill Spring'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 Mill Spring?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Mill Spring's water come from?
Mill Spring's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 838 residents.
How does Mill Spring's water compare to other cities?
Mill Spring ranks #8 out of 196 cities in South Carolina (better than 96% of state cities) and #392 out of 15744 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Mill Spring's small water system affect quality?
Mill Spring's system serves approximately 838 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 1 violation on record.