Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in North Charleston, SC tap water
47 contaminants were measured in the North Charleston, SC water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 7 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 47
- Over federal limit
- 7
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- PFOA
- Service area
- SC
- PFOAPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level5.3 ng/Llimit 0.004 ng/L · 1325.0× the limit
- PFOSPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level9.7 ng/Llimit 0.02 ng/L · 485.0× the limit
- BariumMetals · Reported level19 ug/Llimit 7 ug/L · 2.7× the limit
- StrontiumMetals · Reported level53 ug/Llimit 20 ug/L · 2.6× the limit
- Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level4 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 2.0× the limit
- AluminumMetals · Reported level94 ug/Llimit 50 ug/L · 1.9× the limit
- CopperMetals · Reported level90limit 90 · 1.0× the limit
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
2 PFAS compounds above EPA limits in North Charleston, SC
The EPA finalized the first-ever federal drinking-water limits for six PFAS compounds in April 2024. These numbers come straight from EPA's UCMR5 lab dataset — every U.S. system serving more than 3,300 people tested every PFAS sample at an entry point to its distribution system. PFAS not listed below were either tested and not detected, or not yet sampled.
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
● Over EPA limit (1.4×)below national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
● Over EPA limit (1.1×)below national p90 (13.649999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBS
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (13.909999999999979 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
North Charleston, SC buys its drinking water from CHARLESTON WATER SYSTEM (SC1010001).
Source
Treatment
Distribution
Also buys water from CHARLESTON WATER SYSTEM (SC1010001).
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
1 contaminant historically over EPA limits in North Charleston, SC
Every U.S. public water system reports compliance-monitoring data to EPA. The Six-Year Review releases the 2012–2019 window as a single dataset — here's what your system reported, year by year. Values shown are the highest detection per analyte per year, compared to the federal MCL.
| Contaminant | Worst detection | EPA limit | Years (2012–2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
HAA5 worst: 2015 | 0.068 mg/L 1.1× | 0.06 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
TTHM worst: 2015 | 0.0235 mg/L within | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
COPPER worst: 2013 | 1 mg/L above national p90 | — | '13'16'17'18 |
LEAD worst: 2013 | 0.074 mg/L | — | '13'16'17'18 |
DBAA worst: 2012 | 0.00926 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DCAA worst: 2012 | 0.0066 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
MBAA worst: 2012 | 0.00305 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
MCAA worst: 2015 | 0.00824 mg/L | — | '15 |
TCAA worst: 2012 | 0.0014 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.00312 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2012 | 0.00854 mg/L | — | '12'13'16 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2012 | 0.00164 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.00785 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 19 ug/LReported levelOct 2023 | 7 ug/LNL | At or above the limit |
| Strontium | 53 ug/LReported levelAug 2018 | 20 ug/LNL | At or above the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 94 ug/LReported levelJan 2024 | 50 ug/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| ZincA naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. | 6.3 ug/LReported levelFeb 2019 | 10 ug/LNL | Within the limit |
| IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. | 0.11 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 0.3 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 5.4–5.4Reported levelActual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 50MCL | Within the limit |
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 37 ug/LReported levelAug 2018 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 0.33 ug/LReported levelOct 2020 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 9.38 ug/LAverageFinished Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SilicaA naturally occurring compound from sand and rock. | 8.1 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 9.5 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | 0.87Reported levelActual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 1MCL | Approaching the limit |
| PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. | 0.44 ug/LReported levelFeb 2022 | 25 ug/LNL | Within the limit |
| NDMA | 7.7 ng/LReported levelOct 2020 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChloramineA longer-lasting disinfectant made by combining chlorine with ammonia. | 3–3Reported levelActual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 4MCL | Within the limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 4AverageSystem-wide | 15MCL | Within the limit |
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 101 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 500 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 30 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 56 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 176AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TemperatureThe measured temperature of the water sample. | 71.6AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 7.45 mg/LAverageRaw Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.25–0.25Reported levelActual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 14 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 250 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.16Reported levelActual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 4MCL | Within the limit |
| BromideA naturally occurring salt found in source water. | 0.04 ug/LAverageRaw Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.14Reported levelActual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
VOCs & pesticides
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptosporidium | 0Reported levelActual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | None set | None detected |
| Giardia lamblia | 0.1Reported levelActual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | 2.3 ng/LReported levelJan 2024 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 3.2 ng/LReported levelAug 2018 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 3.3 ng/LReported levelAug 2018 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFAS | 1Reported levelActual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 0MCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 8 ng/LReported levelOct 2020 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about North Charleston, SC's water
+Is North Charleston, SC tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the North Charleston, SC water utility lists 7 contaminants at or above the federal limit: PFOA, PFOS, Barium, Strontium, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, Aluminum, and Copper. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in North Charleston, SC tap water?
47 contaminants were measured in North Charleston, SC's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, pfas ("forever chemicals"), and physical & aggregate. 24 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in North Charleston, SC tap water?
7 contaminants in North Charleston, SC's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: PFOA (1325.0× the limit); PFOS (485.0× the limit); Barium (2.7× the limit); Strontium (2.6× the limit); Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (2.0× the limit); Aluminum (1.9× the limit); Copper (1.0× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in North Charleston, SC tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is PFOA, at 1325.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the pfas ("forever chemicals") family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in North Charleston, SC tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Chlorite. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from North Charleston, SC's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is North Charleston, SC's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.