South Carolina Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in South Carolina, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Laurens County W&S Comm (Sc3020001) has the highest PFAS in South Carolina at 95.8 ppt (24x the EPA limit). Riverview Rural Cws (Sc4620001) has the highest lead at 4 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in South Carolina
Public water systems in South Carolina with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laurens County W&S Comm (Sc3020001) | – | 95.8 | 7 | 24x |
| 2 | Greenwood Cpw (2410001) | – | 63.2 | 3 | 16x |
| 3 | Donalds-Due West W&Sa (Sc0120001) | – | 40 | 2 | 10x |
| 4 | Clinton City Of (3010002) | – | 39.9 | 7 | 10x |
| 5 | Belton City Of (Sc0410004) | – | 34 | 3 | 9x |
| 6 | Winnsboro Town Of (2010001) | – | 32.8 | 2 | 8x |
| 7 | Ware Shoals Town Of (2410003) | – | 22 | 5 | 6x |
| 8 | Midcounty Water Dist 2 (2020004) | – | 20.1 | 2 | 5x |
| 9 | Draytonville Water Dist (1120003) | – | 19.4 | 6 | 5x |
| 10 | Grassy Pond Water Co (1120002) | – | 19 | 6 | 5x |
| 11 | Gaffney Bpw (1110001) | – | 18 | 6 | 5x |
| 12 | Shaw Afb (Sc4310501) | – | 17 | 2 | 4x |
Highest Lead Levels in South Carolina
Community water systems in South Carolina with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverview Rural Cws (Sc4620001) | Fort Mill · 2,200 served | 4 | within |
| 2 | York County East Wd (Sc4620002) | York · 30,225 served | 3 | within |
| 3 | Lake Wylie Mhp (Sc4660081) | Cary · 1,225 served | 0 | within |
| 4 | Clover Town Of (Sc4610006) | Clover · 8,400 served | 0 | within |
| 5 | York County West Wd (Sc4620003) | York · 18,273 served | 0 | within |
| 6 | Tega Cay City Of (Sc4610008) | Tega Cay · 10,500 served | 0 | within |
Most EPA Violations in South Carolina
Community water systems in South Carolina with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | York County East Wd (Sc4620002) | York · 30,225 served | 9 |
| 2 | Riverview Rural Cws (Sc4620001) | Fort Mill · 2,200 served | 1 |
| 3 | Lake Wylie Mhp (Sc4660081) | Cary · 1,225 served | 1 |
| 4 | York County West Wd (Sc4620003) | York · 18,273 served | 1 |
| 5 | Clover Town Of (Sc4610006) | Clover · 8,400 served | 1 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in South Carolina?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Laurens County W&S Comm (Sc3020001) had the highest recorded PFAS level in South Carolina at 95.8 ppt - about 24x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which South Carolina water system has the highest lead levels?
Riverview Rural Cws (Sc4620001) in Fort Mill had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in South Carolina under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 4 ppb (within the 15 ppb action level).
Which South Carolina water system has the most EPA violations?
York County East Wd (Sc4620002) in York has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in South Carolina, with 9 violations.
Where does the South Carolina water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What South Carolina Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full South Carolina water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.