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WaterVerge

Water quality report · updated Jul 2026

Is Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee, SC Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A- — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do ↓

1 contaminant over a legal limit
1.0 ppb lead, 90th percentile · low
3 unresolved violations
3K people served by 1 water system

PWSID SC3820002 · moderate data confidence · local government utility

Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated July 2026
A 87.2 / 100

#74 of 195South Carolina cities
How we grade →

01The verdict: is Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee water safe?

Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,660 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

The concern

Copper is over its legal limit

Measured at 1.70 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.

See the measurement ↓
The good news

Lead is well under the limit

90th-percentile lead is 1.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.

See the trend ↓
Keep watching

1 violation in the last five years

Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.

See the record ↓

Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,660 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 28 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee ranks #74 out of 195 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, Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

How the 87.2/100 breaks down Methodology →
ViolationsHistorical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
42.2 / 45A
Lead & CopperLead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
16 / 20B
ContaminantsPFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
17 / 20B
ComplianceMonitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
8 / 10B
Source RiskWater source: Purchased surface water.
4 / 5B

02What's in Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's water

Every contaminant flagged in Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.

2 detections · sorted by % of legal limit
Over the limit Elevated — watch Within limits
0 50% LEGAL LIMIT 150%

Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L

Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.
Exceeds Limit What to do →
2 contaminants tested under EPA SDWIS, LCR and UCMR programs · 2 detected · not yet tested for PFAS under UCMR 5

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 1.70 1.3 mg/L Inorganic Over Limit
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

03Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's ten-year track record

Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 28 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

8 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.

2 monitoring & paperwork 1 still unresolved
UpdateWater quality data updatedLatest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87.2/100).
DisasterSEVERE STORMS AND FLOODINGFederal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4858). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
DisasterHURRICANE HELENEFederal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4829). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Violation1 drinking water violation recordedContaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.Resolved
Violation1 drinking water violation recordedContaminants: E. COLI.Open
Violation1 drinking water violation recordedContaminants: Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.Open
Lead, 90th percentileppb · lower is better
05101520EPA action level · 15 ppb1994 — 1 ppb1995 — 1 ppb1996 — 5 ppb1997 — 5 ppb2000 — 3 ppb2003 — 1.9 ppb2011 — 3 ppb2014 — 5 ppb2017 — 2 ppb2020 — 0.84 ppb2023 — 0.98 ppb10.9819941997201120202023

Down 0.02 ppb since 1994. Latest reading: 0.98 ppb (2023) — 7% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).

Copper, 90th percentilemg/L · lower is better
00.5011.52EPA action level · 1.3 mg/L1994 — 1.4 mg/L1996 — 1.7 mg/L2000 — 1.7 mg/L1.41.7199419962000

Up 0.26 mg/L since 1994. The latest reading (1.7 mg/L, 2000) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).

04Where Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's water comes from

Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Source

Purchased Surface Water

Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.

Treatment

Wholesale supplier

Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.

Distribution

1 system

1 water system, operated under local government ownership.

Delivery

2,660 people

Residents served across Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's service area.

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 2,660 people through 1 water system.

System namePWSIDPopulationSource
SILVER SPRINGS W/D (SC3820002) SC3820002 2,660 Purchased Surface Water

Water bodies near Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee

Rocky Swamp Creek · river South Fork Edisto River · river North Fork Edisto River · river

As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's drinking water supply.

05Pressure on Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's watershed

Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.

Flood & storm history

Recurring — declared disasters

10 federal disaster declarations on record for Orangeburg County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING Jan 2025 · DR-4858
HURRICANE HELENE Sep 2024 · DR-4829
HURRICANE IDALIA Aug 2023 · DR-3597

Drought

D3 — extreme drought

Orangeburg County is in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

Current streak at D2+ severity23 wks
Weeks at D2+ in the last 5 years23 wks
Months in D2+ over the last 30 years16.3%

06How Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee compares

Scores for nearby South Carolina cities on one line, with the average marked.

Greenville
92.1 · A
Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee (this city)
87.2 · A-
Okatie
83.8 · B+
Charleston
82.8 · B+
Conway
67.5 · C+
Columbia
37.1 · F

dashed line = South Carolina average (77/100)

Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee scores 87.2/100above the South Carolina average of 77/100. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities. Full South Carolina rankings →

Orangeburg water quality rankings
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.

07What to do at home

Steps matched to what testing actually found in Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's water — not generic advice.

Because of copper

Filter drinking & cooking water

NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L

Compare tested filters →
Know your report

Read your utility's annual report

Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.

How to read a CCR →
Stay informed

Watch for Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee alerts

This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.

All water alerts →

Frequently asked questions

Is Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee, SC tap water safe to drink?

Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #74 out of 195 cities tested in South Carolina.

What contaminants are in Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 28 violations are on record.

How is Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee'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 Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's water come from?

Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,660 residents.

What health violations has Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's water system had?

Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.

How does Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's water compare to other cities?

Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee ranks #74 out of 195 cities in South Carolina (better than 62% of state cities) and #4178 out of 15382 cities nationally (73th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's small water system affect quality?

Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee's system serves approximately 2,660 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 28 violations on record.

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About Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee, SC: Neeses is a town in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 320 at the 2020 census. Median household income $38,750 · median home value $46,037 · median age 54.3 · 90.1% homeowners · 8.3% college educated. Wikipedia → Sources: EPA SDWIS & ECHO · UCMR 3–5 · Lead & Copper Rule samples · EPA TRI · U.S. Drought Monitor · FEMA declarations. Data last updated Jul 2026. Analysis by the WaterVerge Editorial Team · methodology.