PFAS Contamination

PFAS in South Carolina Drinking Water

Ranked by number of PFAS compounds detected · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

116

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

45%

% Exceeds Limit

2.8 compounds

State Avg

▲ 24% vs national

vs National

151

Health Violations

Analysis

PFAS in South Carolina: what the data shows

South Carolina has 116 cities with PFAS monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program. PFAS ("forever chemicals") were detected in 76 of those cities (66%), with many cities exceeding the EPA's 2024 maximum contaminant levels of 4 ppt. The state average is worse than the national average. 52 cities exceed the EPA MCL for at least one PFAS compound. PFAS are linked to cancer, immune system disruption, and developmental issues. The 2024 EPA rule requires water systems exceeding the MCL to notify customers and reduce levels by 2029. PFAS data comes from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR 5), which required large water systems to test for 29 PFAS compounds between 2023–2025. Not all systems have completed testing — cities without data may still have PFAS present.

Comparison

Cities exceeding EPA MCL (4 ppt each)

South Carolina

45%

52 of 116 cities

→ ▲ 24% above national rate (worse)

National avg

21%

1662 of 7853 cities

City Map

PFAS data across South Carolina

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. PFAS-tested cities are shown; those exceeding the 4 ppt EPA MCL appear in red. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by pfas level in South Carolina

Highest PFAS levels (compounds)

All Cities

All South Carolina cities ranked by pfas level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Summerville	9 compounds	Yes	22	C+
2	Laurens	9 compounds	Yes	17	B-
3	Clinton	9 compounds	Yes	2	A-
4	Conway	8 compounds	Yes	14	C+
5	Pawleys Island	8 compounds	Yes	13	B-
6	Isle Of Palms	8 compounds	Yes	3	B+
7	Blacksburg	8 compounds	Yes	9	B+
8	Columbia	7 compounds	Yes	80	F
9	Moncks Corner	7 compounds	Yes	6	B-
10	Myrtle Beach	7 compounds	Yes	17	B-
11	Gaffney	7 compounds	Yes	12	C+
12	North Myrtle Beach	7 compounds	Yes	4	B+
13	Fort Jackson	7 compounds	Yes	8	A-
14	Newberry	7 compounds	Yes	28	C
15	Georgetown	7 compounds	Yes	16	B
16	Pacolet	7 compounds	Yes	2	B+
17	Folly Beach	7 compounds	Yes	0	A-
18	Gaffney	7 compounds	Yes	1	B-
19	Mount Pleasant	6 compounds	Yes	1	B+
20	Florence	6 compounds	Yes	3	B+
21	Greenwood	6 compounds	Yes	14	C
22	West Columbia	6 compounds	Yes	87	F
23	Johns Island (Sta.)	6 compounds	Yes	1	A-
24	Union	6 compounds	Yes	14	B+
25	Cayce	6 compounds	Yes	2	A-
26	Saluda	6 compounds	Yes	37	D+
27	Ware Shoals	6 compounds	Yes	0	B+
28	Charleston	5 compounds	Yes	5	B+
29	Okatie	5 compounds	Yes	7	B+
30	Lexington	5 compounds	Yes	55	F
31	Hilton Head Island	5 compounds	Yes	4	B-
32	Goose Creek	5 compounds	Yes	0	B+
33	North Charleston	5 compounds	Yes	0	B
34	Lugoff	5 compounds	Yes	13	B+
35	Mccormick	5 compounds	Yes	19	C+
36	Seabrook	5 compounds	Yes	1	A-
37	Chapin	5 compounds	Yes	33	D+
38	Fripp Island	5 compounds	Yes	2	A
39	Lancaster	4 compounds	No	33	B+
40	Orangeburg	4 compounds	Yes	3	A-
41	Belton	4 compounds	Yes	13	B
42	Woodruff	4 compounds	Yes	5	A-
43	Camden	4 compounds	Yes	7	B+
44	Fort Lawn	4 compounds	Yes	7	B+
45	Winnsboro	4 compounds	Yes	7	C+
46	Batesburg	4 compounds	Yes	7	B-
47	Cheraw	4 compounds	Yes	15	C-
48	Abbeville	4 compounds	Yes	5	B
49	Donalds	4 compounds	Yes	3	B+
50	Shaw Afb	4 compounds	Yes	4	B+
51	Graniteville	3 compounds	Yes	3	A-
52	Starr	3 compounds	Yes	1	A
53	Rock Hill	2 compounds	No	45	F
54	York	2 compounds	No	65	F
55	Fort Mill	2 compounds	No	26	B-
56	Tega Cay	2 compounds	No	0	B+
57	Honea Path	2 compounds	Yes	0	A-
58	Easley	1 compounds	No	2	B+
59	Sumter	1 compounds	No	15	D
60	Darlington	1 compounds	No	6	B+
61	Anderson	1 compounds	No	15	C+
62	Clemson	1 compounds	No	4	B+
63	Marion	1 compounds	No	4	A
64	La France	1 compounds	No	0	A-
65	West Anderson	1 compounds	No	1	A
66	Dalzell	1 compounds	No	7	B-
67	Kingstree	1 compounds	No	4	B
68	Gilbert	1 compounds	No	53	B
69	Williamston	1 compounds	No	11	A-
70	Edisto Beach	1 compounds	No	13	C
71	Pendleton	1 compounds	No	0	B+
72	Johnsonville	1 compounds	No	2	A
73	Bamberg	1 compounds	No	1	A
74	Central	1 compounds	No	1	B+
75	Andrews	1 compounds	No	1	B
76	Hemingway	1 compounds	No	11	B+
77	Greenville	0 compounds	No	9	A
78	Spartanburg	0 compounds	No	2	A
79	Greer	0 compounds	No	3	A
80	Lyman	0 compounds	No	2	A+
81	North Augusta	0 compounds	No	13	B+
82	Aiken	0 compounds	No	11	D
83	Seneca	0 compounds	No	0	A
84	Inman	0 compounds	No	1	A
85	Westminster	0 compounds	No	8	C-
86	Chesterfield	0 compounds	No	10	A-
87	Cassatt	0 compounds	No	4	A
88	Pickens	0 compounds	No	7	B+
89	Dillon	0 compounds	No	2	A
90	Walhalla	0 compounds	No	1	A-
91	Chesnee	0 compounds	No	0	A-
92	Six Mile	0 compounds	No	1	A+
93	Bennettsville	0 compounds	No	56	B
94	Liberty	0 compounds	No	3	A-
95	Gloverville	0 compounds	No	2	A
96	Walterboro	0 compounds	No	0	A+
97	Gaston	0 compounds	No	9	D
98	Salem	0 compounds	No	30	C+
99	Manning	0 compounds	No	5	A-
100	Clover	0 compounds	No	19	D
101	Lake City	0 compounds	No	0	A+
102	Beech Island	0 compounds	No	0	B+
103	Hartsville	0 compounds	No	0	A
104	New Ellenton	0 compounds	No	3	B+
105	Mullins	0 compounds	No	4	A+
106	Allendale	0 compounds	No	7	B+
107	Mcbee	0 compounds	No	4	A
108	Landrum	0 compounds	No	3	A-
109	Barnwell	0 compounds	No	0	A
110	Bishopville	0 compounds	No	0	A-
111	Jackson	0 compounds	No	24	A-
112	Denmark	0 compounds	No	4	A-
113	Loris	0 compounds	No	0	A-
114	Lake View (Corporate Name For	0 compounds	No	3	A-
115	Branchville	0 compounds	No	0	A
116	Lamar	0 compounds	No	3	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about pfas in South Carolina

Does South Carolina tap water contain PFAS?

PFAS were detected in 76 of 116 South Carolina cities tested under EPA's UCMR 5 program. 52 cities exceed the 2024 EPA MCL of 4 ppt for individual PFAS compounds.

How can I remove PFAS from my drinking water in South Carolina?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing PFAS, typically removing 90%+ of compounds. High-quality activated carbon block filters (NSF 58-certified for RO, or NSF 53 for solid carbon) also provide significant reduction. Standard pitcher filters vary widely in PFAS removal.

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