South Carolina Water Quality — 196 Cities Tested

Latest water news in South Carolina

Recent reporting on South Carolina drinking water — boil-water advisories, regulatory action, and infrastructure events.

May 15, 2026

Charlotte's Stage 2 Water Restrictions Take Effect Today — First Mandatory Cuts Since 2009

Charlotte Water's Stage 2 mandatory restrictions take effect today, May 15 — first since 2009. Cascade extends across the Catawba-Wateree basin.

Read full story →

Analysis

South Carolina water quality overview

South Carolina's drinking water quality is good overall, with an average score of 81.8 out of 100 across 196 cities tested. The median score is 84.9, serving a total population of 4,632,204 residents. 87% of cities earned an A or B grade, indicating broadly strong water quality infrastructure across the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 76 of 196 cities tested (39%). 52 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. 2 cities have lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb, often indicating aging infrastructure with lead service lines or lead solder. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 84 cities use groundwater while 112 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in South Carolina

76 cities

PFAS Detected

39% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.

2 cities

Lead Exceedances

Lead levels above the EPA action level of 15 ppb (90th percentile).

151 cities

Health Violations

9,037 total violations recorded, 187 with unresolved issues.

5 cities

Failing Systems

Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.

Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in South Carolina

Lead in South Carolina → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in South Carolina → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in South Carolina → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in South Carolina

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → 1,4-Dioxane → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → Cobalt → Lithium → NDMA → Perchlorate →

State context

28

Superfund sites in South Carolina

EPA National Priorities List

91.7%

of South Carolina residents on fluoridated water

CDC, 2020

2,780,232

lbs released to surface water

Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023

1.0%

of South Carolina domestic wells exceed EPA arsenic limit

USGS, 104 samples · 10 µg/L MCL

Domestic well chemistry

Private-well water in South Carolina

Based on USGS Powell Domestic-Well Database — 411 private wells sampled across South Carolina. These wells are not regulated by the EPA; if you draw your tap from a private well, the public-system grade above does not apply to you.

0.2 µg/L

Median arsenic in domestic wells

P90 1.1 µg/L · max 12.0 µg/L

14 µg/L

Median manganese in domestic wells

1.5% exceed 300 µg/L aesthetic limit

Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in South Carolina

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in South Carolina, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 2,780,232 lbs

Facility	Top chemical	To surface water (lbs/yr)
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CO LLC Chemicals · WEC US HOLDINGS INC HOPKINS, SC29061	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	498,138
INV CAMDEN PLANT Chemicals · KOCH INC LUGOFF, SC29078	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	457,670
NEW-INDY CATAWBA LLC Paper · NEW-INDY CONTAINERBOARD LLC CATAWBA, SC29704	Methanol	430,798
MILLIKEN CHEMICAL ALLEN PLANT Chemicals · MILLIKEN & CO BLACKSBURG, SC29702	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	414,703
INTERNATIONAL PAPER GEORGETOWN MILL Paper · INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO GEORGETOWN, SC29440	Methanol	350,955

+ 5 more facilities

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your South Carolina water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.

Grade Distribution

How South Carolina cities scored

A: 96 B: 75 C: 13 D: 7 F: 5

Best Cities

Worst Cities

City Map

Water quality across South Carolina

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

196 cities in South Carolina

Full rankings →

#	City	Grade	Score	Population	Violations
1	Lake City	A+	97.6	9K	7
2	Barrineau Crossroads	A+	97	2K	1
3	Coward	A+	96.9	2K	2
4	Mullins	A+	96.8	7K	10
5	Walterboro	A+	96.3	12K	28
6	Six Mile	A+	96.2	15K	5
7	Lyman	A+	96.1	87K	4
8	Mill Spring	A+	95	838	1
9	Irmo	A	94.9	1K	6
10	Holly Hill	A	94.4	2K	7
11	Varnville	A	94.3	2K	5
12	Branchville	A	94.3	1K	10
13	Seneca	A	94.2	39K	12
14	Dillon	A	94	25K	6
15	Lamar	A	93.8	1K	35
16	Starr	A	93	11K	3
17	Pamplico	A	93	2K	30
18	Monetta	A	92.8	1K	12
19	Kershaw	A	92.4	3K	17
20	Yemassee	A	92.3	2K	15
21	Greer	A	92.2	94K	16
22	Johnsonville	A	92.2	5K	8
23	Greenville	A	92.1	396K	19
24	Marietta	A	92.1	3K	7
25	Cassatt	A	92	25K	7
26	Jefferson	A	92	948	18
27	Turbeville	A	91.8	723	3
28	Hartsville	A	91.7	9K	2
29	Latta	A	91.6	2K	4
30	Nichols	A	91.5	678	5
31	Spartanburg	A	91.4	142K	12
32	Ridge Spring	A	91.4	2K	9
33	Mcbee	A	91.2	6K	15
34	Gloverville	A	90.9	12K	8
35	West Anderson	A	90.8	17K	6
36	Fripp Island	A	90.8	4K	5
37	Inman	A	90.6	37K	4
38	Prosperity	A	90.6	1K	3
39	Marion	A	90.5	26K	14
40	Barnwell	A	90.3	5K	4
41	Sullivans Island	A	90.3	3K	5
42	Bamberg	A	90	4K	7
43	Ladson	A	90	3K	9
44	Chesterfield	A-	89.7	27K	27
45	Hampton	A-	89.7	3K	2
46	Mitford	A-	89.7	2K	30
47	Whitmire	A-	89.6	2K	15
48	Pelion	A-	89.6	1K	120
49	St. Matthews	A-	89.5	3K	17
50	Bishopville	A-	89.4	4K	15
51	Landrum	A-	89.2	6K	19
52	Graniteville	A-	89.1	18K	5
53	Williamston	A-	89.1	7K	23
54	Sharon	A-	89.1	573	2
55	La France	A-	89	21K	11
56	Manning	A-	88.9	10K	33
57	Kiawah Island	A-	88.9	900	2
58	Clio	A-	88.9	788	8
59	Pineridge	A-	88.9	683	73
60	Elloree	A-	88.8	2K	11
61	Brunson	A-	88.8	649	5
62	Williston	A-	88.7	3K	6
63	Wallace	A-	88.5	4K	12
64	Lake View (Corporate Name For	A-	88.5	1K	8
65	Greeleyville	A-	88.5	850	7
66	Honea Path	A-	88	7K	15
67	St. George	A-	88	2K	10
68	Jamestown	A-	88	800	9
69	Woodruff	A-	87.7	29K	6
70	Lane	A-	87.7	585	13
71	Chesnee	A-	87.6	18K	3
72	Jackson	A-	87.5	4K	32
73	Iva	A-	87.4	2K	15
74	Neeses (Corporate Name For Nee	A-	87.2	3K	28
75	Wedgefield	A-	87.2	1K	28
76	Clinton	A-	87.1	9K	18
77	Wagener	A-	87.1	1K	9
78	Hickory Grove	A-	86.7	654	1
79	Folly Beach	A-	86.5	5K	13
80	Clearwater	A-	86.5	529	18
81	Walhalla	A-	86.3	19K	19
82	Harleyville	A-	86.3	1K	10
83	Olanta	A-	86.3	801	8
84	Perry	A-	86.3	796	33
85	Seabrook	A-	86	6K	8
86	Denmark	A-	86	4K	13
87	Eutawville	A-	85.9	555	12
88	Johns Island (Sta.)	A-	85.8	32K	11
89	Blackville	A-	85.8	2K	11
90	Orangeburg	A-	85.7	47K	15
91	Cayce	A-	85.7	17K	16
92	Heath Springs	A-	85.6	947	3
93	Bowman	A-	85.5	1K	12
94	Fort Jackson	A-	85.2	31K	16
95	Liberty	A-	85.2	13K	29
96	Loris	A-	85.1	3K	7
97	Camden	B+	84.9	18K	18
98	Shaw Afb	B+	84.9	5K	55
99	Pageland	B+	84.9	4K	33
100	Central	B+	84.9	3K	14
101	Ninety Six (Corporate Name For	B+	84.8	3K	5
102	Scranton	B+	84.6	1K	4
103	Pacolet	B+	84.5	5K	4
104	Ridgeland	B+	84.5	3K	4
105	Pendleton	B+	84.4	6K	3
106	Blacksburg	B+	84.4	4K	14
107	Isle Of Palms	B+	84.3	10K	14
108	Donalds	B+	84.3	5K	7
109	Norway	B+	84.2	775	18
110	Florence	B+	84.1	80K	9
111	Goose Creek	B+	84.1	41K	6
112	Mount Pleasant	B+	84	92K	5
113	Clemson	B+	84	27K	19
114	Tega Cay	B+	84	11K	8
115	Okatie	B+	83.8	146K	19
116	North Augusta	B+	83.8	62K	38
117	Darlington	B+	83.8	59K	20
118	Beech Island	B+	83.8	9K	4
119	Hemingway	B+	83.8	3K	16
120	Fort Lawn	B+	83.5	16K	21
121	Lancaster	B+	83.4	93K	47
122	Ridgeville	B+	83.1	4K	32
123	Easley	B+	83	78K	37
124	Charleston	B+	82.8	327K	16
125	Lincolnville	B+	82.8	2K	33
126	Maysville	B+	82.5	665	3
127	New Ellenton	B+	82.3	9K	38
128	Allendale	B+	82.3	7K	32
129	Lugoff	B+	82.2	23K	34
130	Helena	B+	82	1K	13
131	North Myrtle Beach	B+	81.8	41K	16
132	Summerton	B+	81.8	3K	33
133	Awendaw	B+	81.6	746	19
134	Pickens	B+	81.5	25K	53
135	Eastover	B+	81.3	726	82
136	Ehrhardt	B+	81.3	507	12
137	North	B+	80.7	4K	21
138	Mccoll	B+	80.3	2K	17
139	Springfield	B+	80.3	700	4
140	Union	B+	80.2	22K	36
141	Ware Shoals	B+	80.2	3K	2
142	Mill Spring	B+	80.2	937	4
143	Bath	B+	80.1	2K	30
144	Jonesville	B	79.6	4K	19
145	Bethune	B	79.6	4K	20
146	Belton	B	79.5	42K	42
147	Gilbert	B	79.3	8K	69
148	Estill	B	79.1	2K	12
149	Andrews	B	79	3K	20
150	Fairfax	B	78.1	2K	18
151	Ridgeway	B	77.9	1K	36
152	Lockhart	B	77.7	560	20
153	Georgetown	B	77.3	17K	40
154	Langley	B	77.2	753	9
155	Abbeville	B	77.1	6K	18
156	Bennettsville	B	76.3	14K	77
157	North Charleston	B	76.2	26K	18
158	Swansea	B	76.2	2K	23
159	Kingstree	B	76	13K	29
160	Carlisle	B	75.3	4K	26
161	Myrtle Beach	B-	74.5	66K	54
162	Fort Mill	B-	74.3	29K	92
163	Calhoun Falls	B-	73.9	2K	28
164	Pawleys Island	B-	73.1	50K	54
165	Dalzell	B-	73	16K	28
166	Batesburg	B-	73	7K	32
167	Moncks Corner	B-	72.9	118K	43
168	Santee	B-	71.3	2K	8
169	Hilton Head Island	B-	71.1	50K	43
170	Gaffney	B-	71.1	1K	8
171	Laurens	B-	70.8	50K	48
172	Winnsboro	C+	68.7	15K	28
173	Summerville	C+	68.2	124K	95
174	Mccormick	C+	67.8	10K	41
175	Salem	C+	67.7	11K	120
176	Jenkinsville	C+	67.6	3K	33
177	Conway	C+	67.5	304K	34
178	Anderson	C+	66.8	59K	297
179	Gaffney	C+	65.2	46K	37
180	Edisto Beach	C	64.3	6K	37
181	Greenwood	C	64	50K	52
182	Newberry	C	60.8	20K	75
183	Cheraw	C-	57.1	6K	40
184	Westminster	C-	55.5	29K	157
185	Saluda	D+	54.5	8K	48
186	Chapin	D+	54.4	5K	149
187	Sumter	D	48.2	60K	307
188	Aiken	D	47.8	51K	101
189	Gaston	D	46.5	11K	200
190	Hopkins	D	46	3K	441
191	Clover	D	45	10K	470
192	York	F	43.4	60K	442
193	Rock Hill	F	41	87K	866
194	Columbia	F	37.1	322K	915
195	Lexington	F	36.2	75K	576
196	West Columbia	F	33.8	49K	272

Counties

Browse South Carolina counties

Abbeville 3 cities · avg 78.4 Aiken 13 cities · avg 82.7 Allendale 2 cities · avg 80.2 Anderson 9 cities · avg 85.3 Bamberg 3 cities · avg 85.8 Barnwell 3 cities · avg 88.3 Beaufort 5 cities · avg 83.3 Berkeley 3 cities · avg 81.7 Calhoun 1 city · avg 89.5 Charleston 9 cities · avg 84.9 Cherokee 3 cities · avg 78 Chester 1 city · avg 83.5 Chesterfield 5 cities · avg 83 Clarendon 4 cities · avg 89.9 Cleveland 1 city · avg 71.1 Colleton 2 cities · avg 80.3 Darlington 3 cities · avg 89.8 Dillon 3 cities · avg 91.4 Dorchester 6 cities · avg 82 Fairfield 4 cities · avg 76 Florence 7 cities · avg 90.7 Georgetown 3 cities · avg 76.5 Greenville 3 cities · avg 92.1 Greenwood 3 cities · avg 76.3 Hampton 5 cities · avg 88.8 Horry 4 cities · avg 77.2 Jasper 1 city · avg 84.5 Kershaw 4 cities · avg 84.7 Lancaster 3 cities · avg 87.1 Laurens 2 cities · avg 78.9 Lee 1 city · avg 89.4 Lexington 10 cities · avg 66.4 Marion 3 cities · avg 92.9 Marlboro 4 cities · avg 83.5 Mccormick 1 city · avg 67.8 Newberry 3 cities · avg 80.3 Oconee 4 cities · avg 75.9 Orangeburg 11 cities · avg 85.3 Pickens 6 cities · avg 85.8 Polk 2 cities · avg 87.6 Richland 5 cities · avg 68.9 Saluda 2 cities · avg 73 Spartanburg 6 cities · avg 90.4 Sumter 5 cities · avg 75.2 Union 4 cities · avg 78.2 Williamsburg 4 cities · avg 84 York 7 cities · avg 66.2

ZIP Codes

Browse South Carolina by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

View all South Carolina ZIP codes →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about South Carolina's water

Is South Carolina's tap water safe to drink?

South Carolina's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is B+ (81.8/100). 87% of cities scored an A or B, while 6% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which South Carolina cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Lake City (A+), Barrineau Crossroads (A+), Coward (A+). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which South Carolina cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are West Columbia (F), Lexington (F), Columbia (F). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many South Carolina cities have PFAS in their water?

76 out of 196 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (39%). 52 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Do any South Carolina cities have dangerous lead levels?

2 cities exceed the EPA lead action level of 15 ppb. Lead contamination typically comes from aging pipes and lead service lines rather than the water source itself. An NSF 53-certified filter can effectively remove lead from tap water.

South Carolina Water Quality Report