South Carolina
South Carolina sits in the South and draws its water primarily from rivers, reservoirs, and coastal aquifers. With roughly 5.3 million residents, the state has a developing water reuse program, reusing an estimated 7% of its treated wastewater.
South Carolinawater quality & safety
Top violation drivers in South Carolina
| Contaminant / rule | Systems |
|---|---|
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | 41 |
| TTHM | 27 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | 20 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 11 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | 5 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | 5 |
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1 · health-based violations since 2016
Fast Lowcountry growth around Charleston pressures coastal aquifers and reuse planning.
On the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, South Carolina currently tracks around severe to extreme conditions. South Carolina has 557 community water systems serving about 5 million people; EPA records show 105 of them (18.9%) with a health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016. The pages below break down the water issues that matter most here and the communities working on solutions.
Drought history — severe+ extent
% of South Carolina in severe drought or worse (D2+) each late summer.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC/UNL, USDA, NOAA) · latest 2026-06-09
Water use (USGS 2015)
- Per-capita (public supply)
- 171 gpcd
- Total withdrawals
- 6.2 Bgal/d
- From groundwater
- 5.9%
- Irrigation share
- 2%
- Wastewater reused (est.)
- ~7%
Primary water sources
- ≈ rivers
- ≈ reservoirs
- ≈ coastal aquifers
Common questions
Is tap water safe in South Carolina?
South Carolina has 557 community water systems serving about 5 million people. EPA records show 105 of them (18.9%) with at least one health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016, and 8 system(s) over the federal lead action level. Most large systems meet standards; check your specific city and your utility's annual report.
What contaminants are most common in South Carolina's water?
The most frequent health-based violations involve LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, TTHM, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
How much water does South Carolina use per person?
Public water systems in South Carolina withdraw about 171 gallons per person per day (USGS 2015), drawing 5.9% of fresh water from groundwater.
How bad is the drought in South Carolina?
As of 2026-06-09, 98.5% of South Carolina is in drought (D1+) and 64.8% is in severe drought or worse, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Cities in South Carolina
6 trackedColumbia
Columbia, SC water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Charleston
Charleston, SC water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
North Charleston
North Charleston, SC water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, SC water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Rock Hill
Rock Hill, SC water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Greenville
Greenville, SC water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Key issues in South Carolina
Saltwater Intrusion
As coastal aquifers are over-pumped and seas rise, saltwater pushes inland and contaminates freshwater supplies for cities from Florida to California.
ExploreAging Infrastructure
Much of America's water infrastructure is decades past its design life, leaking trillions of gallons a year and demanding hundreds of billions in reinvestment.
ExploreAgricultural Demand
Agriculture accounts for the majority of consumptive water use in the West, making farm efficiency and water markets central to any supply solution.
Explore