WaterQ

South Carolina Tap Water Quality Rankings 2026: 10th in Nation | WaterQ

Alex Carter
By Alex Carter
Water Quality Researcher ยท Published 2026-06-23

South Carolina ranks 10th out of 50 states in drinking water quality with an average score of 89, earning a grade of B. This grade reflects the overall performance of the state's water systems in serving its population of 4,571,074. While the state performs relatively well overall, residents should remain informed about localized water quality factors.

Key Findings for South Carolina

Reviewing EPA SDWIS data for 2026, here's what defines South Carolina's water quality landscape:

  • With South Carolina's location in the Southeast coastal plain and its agricultural activity, runoff can lead to elevated levels of contaminants like nitrates in rural groundwater sources.
  • As urban centers in the state continue to grow, expanding municipal water systems face infrastructure demands to prevent distribution system issues and maintain compliance.
  • The state's 249 water systems have recorded a total of 6,429 violations, indicating that monitoring and reporting challenges persist across various service areas.

Most Common Contaminants in South Carolina

Here's what South Carolina residents should know about the contaminants most relevant to their water:

Nitrate

Commonly associated with agricultural runoff, nitrate can seep into shallow groundwater supplies from fertilizers and animal waste in farming regions.

Disinfection Byproducts

These chemical compounds can form when disinfectants used to treat drinking water react with naturally occurring organic matter in surface water sources.

Lead

Lead risk typically arises from aging infrastructure, such as older service lines or household plumbing materials, rather than source water contamination.

South Carolina's Best and Worst Cities for Water Quality

Water quality can vary significantly from one municipality to another based on the age of local infrastructure and the specific water sources used. Residents can explore the detailed city-by-city breakdown on our state page to view testing results and violation histories for their specific local utility. Explore the full breakdown on our South Carolina water systems page.

What South Carolina Residents Should Do

Given South Carolina's 10th place ranking, here's what matters most for residents:

  1. Search for your local water system's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to review annual testing results.
  2. If your home relies on a private well, schedule regular testing for bacteria, nitrates, and other localized contaminants.
  3. Consider installing a certified water filtration system that is rated to target the specific contaminants identified in your area.
  4. Check the EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database for your utility's compliance and violation history.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does South Carolina water quality compare to other states?

South Carolina ranks 10th out of the 50 US states, indicating a relatively strong performance. With an average score of 89, the state receives a letter grade of B for its overall drinking water quality metrics.

What are the most common contaminants in South Carolina tap water?

Common regional water quality concerns in the Southeast coastal plain include agricultural runoff contaminants like nitrate. In addition, water treatment processes can generate disinfection byproducts, and older household plumbing can introduce lead.

Is it safe to drink tap water in South Carolina?

With a grade of B and a rank of 10th in the nation, South Carolina's tap water is generally safe and meets federal standards for the majority of residents. However, localized compliance issues can occur, so it is recommended to verify the specific status of your local water provider.

Source: EPA SDWIS 2026 Compliance Data and WaterQ National Database. For more information on our ranking process, visit our state rankings page.