Is South Carolina Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 16 cities across South Carolina. Find your city below.
Water quality in South Carolina varies significantly from city to city. Across 16 cities we track, hardness ranges from 15 PPM in Greer to 80 PPM in Charleston, with a statewide average of 38 PPM. Most cities in South Carolina have relatively soft water, so a softener is generally unnecessary.
9 South Carolina cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Charleston (22.27 ppt), Myrtle Beach (27.52 ppt), Columbia (36.75 ppt), North Charleston (22.4 ppt), Hilton Head (16.38 ppt), and 4 more. A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
Complete South Carolina Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in South Carolina
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
South Carolina cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Comparisons
Charleston vs Greer
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Charleston vs Bluffton
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Bluffton vs Myrtle Beach
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
South Carolina Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 80 | Moderately Hard | 22.27 | Edisto + Bushy Park |
| Bluffton | 55 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Floridan Aquifer |
| Myrtle Beach | 50 | Slightly Hard | 27.52 | Waccamaw River & Bull Creek |
| Columbia | 48 | Slightly Hard | 36.75 | Lake Murray, Broad River |
| North Charleston | 47 | Slightly Hard | 22.4 | Bushy Park Reservoir |
| Rock Hill | 44 | Slightly Hard | 8.58 | Catawba River |
| Hilton Head | 42 | Slightly Hard | 16.38 | Floridan Aquifer |
| Summerville | 40 | Slightly Hard | 33.05 | Edisto River & local wells |
| Goose Creek | 38 | Slightly Hard | 24.6 | Edisto River |
| Mount Pleasant | 35 | Slightly Hard | 31.11 | Cooper River via Charleston CPW |
| Greenville | 30 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Table Rock Reservoir |
| Charleston Downtown | 28 | Slightly Hard | 22.27 | Edisto River |
| Spartanburg | 25 | Slightly Hard | 0 | South Pacolet River |
| Taylors | 15 | Soft | 0 | North Saluda Reservoir |
| Clemson | 15 | Soft | 3.9 | Hartwell Lake |
| Greer | 15 | Soft | 0 | Lake Robinson + North Saluda |