Is Myrtle Beach, SC Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Myrtle Beach tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 5.3 ppt, PFOS: 5.05 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Myrtle Beach Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Myrtle Beach Compares
Myrtle Beach's water is 64% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 70% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within South Carolina, Myrtle Beach has the 3rd hardest water out of 16 cities - 32% above the state average of 38 PPM. Among cities (50k-100k), Myrtle Beach ranks #199 of 258 for hardness.
What Myrtle Beach's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 50 PPM - Low Concern
Myrtle Beach's water is slightly hard at 50 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Myrtle Beach has PFOA at 5.3 ppt and PFOS at 5.05 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Myrtle Beach's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 31.8 ppb (40% of the legal limit, but 212x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 13.3 ppb (22% of the legal limit, but 133x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.0609 ppb, which is 3x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 50 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 80 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 27.52 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 5.3 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 5.05 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 0.7 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.0603 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for Myrtle Beach
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 5.3 ppt, PFOS: 5.05 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1 mg/L chlorine, many Myrtle Beach residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Myrtle Beach
With PFAS at 27.52 ppt in Myrtle Beach's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request Grand Strand Water & Sewer's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Myrtle Beach's Water Supply
Water Utility: Grand Strand Water & Sewer
Water Source: Waccamaw River & Bull Creek (Surface Water)
Population Served: 50,930
Hardness: 50 PPM (2.9 grains per gallon)
Myrtle Beach's drinking water comes from surface sources — Waccamaw River & Bull Creek. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 51,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Grand Strand Water & Sewer's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Grand Strand Water & Sewer in Myrtle Beach, SC, including ZIP codes:
28362, 28424, 28430, 28431, 28432, 28439, 28452, 28455, 28459, 28463, 28467, 28468, 28469, 29114, 29440, 29442, 29501, 29502, 29503, 29504, 29505, 29506, 29511, 29519, 29526, 29527, 29528, 29530, 29532, 29541, 29543, 29544, 29545, 29546, 29554, 29555, 29560, 29563, 29565, 29566, 29568, 29569, 29571, 29572, 29574, 29575, 29576, 29577, 29578, 29579, 29580, 29581, 29582, 29583, 29585, 29587, 29588, 29589, 29591, 29592, 29597, 29598
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Myrtle Beach to Other South Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Myrtle Beach Water
Is Myrtle Beach tap water safe to drink?
Where does Myrtle Beach's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Myrtle Beach?
How do I remove PFAS from Myrtle Beach tap water?
What water filter is best for Myrtle Beach?
Is Myrtle Beach water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Myrtle Beach's water?
Is chromium-6 in Myrtle Beach's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Myrtle Beach Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 50 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Myrtle Beach's water data.