WaterQ
South Carolina State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Columbia tap water safe to drink?

⚠ Caution Advised
B

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 71/100.

Safety Score
71
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Columbia?

Read Decision Guide →

Columbia

South Carolina

View South Carolina state report Verified: Apr 2026

Is Columbia tap water safe to drink?

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 71/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 1 local system in Columbia. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Columbia?

Requirement Status
Recommended
🟡
💡

Expert Advice

Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.

Buying a Filter?

Should you buy a water purifier in Columbia? See our analysis.

Baby Formula Safety

Is Columbia tap water safe for infants? Critical safety guide.

Homebuyer's Perspective

For those looking to relocate to Columbia, water quality is a key factor in long-term property maintenance. With a score of 71/100, we recommend budgeting for high-quality point-of-entry filtration systems to protect your home's value.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Score Breakdown for Columbia

EPA Compliance & Violations 85/100
Contaminant Safety Margin 71%

*Scores are calculated using weighted EPA monitoring data from the past 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbia tap water safe to drink?

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 71/100.

How many water systems serve Columbia?

Columbia is served by 1 public water system in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Columbia?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Columbia.

What is the water quality score for Columbia?

The water quality score for Columbia is N/A out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Columbia?

The top contaminants detected in Columbia include PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), Chloramine, Barium. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
71/100
Grade
C
Water Systems
2
Population
321,146

Columbia Water Quality Summary

Columbia, SC receives a water quality score of 71/100 (Grade C) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 2 public water systems serving the area.

Columbia's water quality is near the national average. While most systems meet EPA standards, some violations have been recorded. Residents may wish to review their specific water system's report for contaminant details.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology →

Key Contaminants

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Violation
0.0061 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Chloramine
3.8702 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L
Barium
1.8947 / 2 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 2 mg/L
PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate)
0.0037 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Gross Alpha Particle Activity
13.6409 / 15 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 15 pCi/L
Chlorine
2.0082 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L
Lead
5.2016 / 15 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 15 μg/L
Arsenic
0.1535 / 10 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 10 μg/L

Water Systems Serving Columbia (1)

Related

Compare Columbia water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality