Strontium Contamination

Strontium in South Carolina Drinking Water

Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Over HRL

% Over HRL

80.8 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 6% vs national

vs National

151

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in South Carolina: what the data shows

South Carolina has 67 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 0 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 80.8 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

South Carolina

0 of 67 cities

← ▼ 6% below national rate (better)

National avg

250 of 4371 cities

City Map

Strontium data across South Carolina

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in South Carolina

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All South Carolina cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Hilton Head Island	1400.0 µg/L	No	4	B-
2	West Columbia	380.0 µg/L	No	87	F
3	Marion	210.0 µg/L	No	4	A
4	Walterboro	210.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
5	Cassatt	190.0 µg/L	No	4	A
6	York	180.0 µg/L	No	65	F
7	North Myrtle Beach	150.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
8	Okatie	140.0 µg/L	No	7	B+
9	Myrtle Beach	85.0 µg/L	No	17	B-
10	Lancaster	73.0 µg/L	No	33	B+
11	Fort Lawn	70.0 µg/L	No	7	B+
12	Conway	68.0 µg/L	No	14	C+
13	Laurens	68.0 µg/L	No	17	B-
14	Camden	67.0 µg/L	No	7	B+
15	Johns Island (Sta.)	65.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
16	North Charleston	64.0 µg/L	No	0	B
17	Dillon	62.0 µg/L	No	2	A
18	Charleston	61.0 µg/L	No	5	B+
19	Sumter	61.0 µg/L	No	15	D
20	Lexington	60.0 µg/L	No	55	F
21	Lugoff	60.0 µg/L	No	13	B+
22	Columbia	59.0 µg/L	No	80	F
23	Florence	58.0 µg/L	No	3	B+
24	Goose Creek	58.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
25	Chesterfield	58.0 µg/L	No	10	A-
26	Ridge Spring	58.0 µg/L	No	3	A
27	Pawleys Island	57.0 µg/L	No	13	B-
28	Fort Jackson	57.0 µg/L	No	8	A-
29	Mount Pleasant	56.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
30	Woodruff	55.0 µg/L	No	5	A-
31	Newberry	54.0 µg/L	No	28	C
32	Moncks Corner	53.0 µg/L	No	6	B-
33	Tega Cay	50.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
34	Summerville	48.0 µg/L	No	22	C+
35	Cayce	47.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
36	Rock Hill	45.0 µg/L	No	45	F
37	Gaffney	43.0 µg/L	No	12	C+
38	Spartanburg	41.0 µg/L	No	2	A
39	North Augusta	41.0 µg/L	No	13	B+
40	Union	41.0 µg/L	No	14	B+
41	Greer	39.0 µg/L	No	3	A
42	Inman	38.0 µg/L	No	1	A
43	Graniteville	38.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
44	Winnsboro	37.7 µg/L	No	7	C+
45	Greenwood	37.0 µg/L	No	14	C
46	Chesnee	37.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
47	Carlisle	36.0 µg/L	No	15	B
48	Lyman	33.0 µg/L	No	2	A+
49	Darlington	33.0 µg/L	No	6	B+
50	Orangeburg	30.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
51	Easley	29.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
52	Aiken	27.0 µg/L	No	11	D
53	Belton	27.0 µg/L	No	13	B
54	Dalzell	27.0 µg/L	No	7	B-
55	West Anderson	26.0 µg/L	No	1	A
56	La France	23.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
57	Anderson	22.0 µg/L	No	15	C+
58	Lamar	22.0 µg/L	No	3	A
59	Walhalla	21.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
60	Clemson	20.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
61	Pickens	19.4 µg/L	No	7	B+
62	Greenville	17.0 µg/L	No	9	A
63	Westminster	16.0 µg/L	No	8	C-
64	Bennettsville	15.0 µg/L	No	56	B
65	New Ellenton	14.9 µg/L	No	3	B+
66	Seneca	12.0 µg/L	No	0	A
67	Six Mile	12.0 µg/L	No	1	A+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in South Carolina

Is strontium in South Carolina tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. No cities in South Carolina exceed the HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

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