01The verdict: is Pageland water safe?
Pageland's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,554 residents using groundwater (wells).
9 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 3.4 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓2 violations 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 ↓Pageland's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,554 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 3.4 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 7 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
Pageland ranks #99 out of 195 cities in South Carolina for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Pageland purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
02What's in Pageland's water
Every contaminant flagged in Pageland, 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.
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. | 3.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in South Carolina
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in South Carolina
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Pageland'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 33 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 9 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.
▼ Down 4.7 ppb since 1994. Latest reading: 0.26 ppb (2024) — 2% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Pageland's water comes from
Pageland purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
3,554 people
Residents served across Pageland's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Pageland'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 3,554 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAGELAND CITY OF (SC1310003) | SC1310003 | 3,467 | Purchased Groundwater |
| WESTSIDE ESTATES APTS (SC1370300) | SC1370300 | 87 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Pageland'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.
Industrial discharge
4 facilities within 10 miles reported 1 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Chesterfield County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
Drought
Chesterfield 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.
06How Pageland compares
Scores for nearby South Carolina cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = South Carolina average (77/100)
Pageland scores 84.9/100 — above the South Carolina average of 77/100. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities. Full South Carolina rankings →
92.1 / 100BCharleston, SC
82.8 / 100FColumbia, SC
37.1 / 100CConway, SC
67.5 / 100BOkatie, SC
83.8 / 100ASpartanburg, SC
91.4 / 100
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 Pageland's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Pageland's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Pageland 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 Pageland, SC tap water safe to drink?
Pageland's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #99 out of 195 cities tested in South Carolina.
What contaminants are in Pageland's water?
Lead was measured at 3.4 ppb (90th percentile). 33 violations are on record.
How is Pageland'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 Pageland?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Pageland's water come from?
Pageland's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 3,554 residents.
What health violations has Pageland's water system had?
Pageland has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.
Is Pageland's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Pageland 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 33 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 Pageland's water compare to other cities?
Pageland ranks #99 out of 195 cities in South Carolina (better than 49% of state cities) and #5571 out of 15382 cities nationally (64th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.