# North Charleston, SC — Drinking Water Quality (2024)

> Contaminant levels for the North Charleston, SC public water system from its 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, compared to federal limits.

- Page: https://www.thewatermap.com/water/sc/north-charleston/2024
- JSON API: https://www.thewatermap.com/api/water/sc/north-charleston/2024
- Source: the utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- Verification: transcribed by a model, cross-checked by a second model, approved before publishing
- Reporting year: 2024
- Contaminants measured: 47
- Contaminants with a federal limit: 24
- Contaminants at or above the federal limit: 7
- Part of The Water Map — https://www.thewatermap.com

## Contaminants measured

| Contaminant | Category | Measured level | Sampling context | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloramine | Disinfectants | 3–3 (Reported level) | Actual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 4 (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Bromodichloromethane | Disinfection byproducts | 5.6 ug/L (Reported level) | Aug 2018 | 100 ug/L (NL) | Within the limit |
| Bromoform | Disinfection byproducts | 0.5 ug/L (Reported level) | Nov 2021 | 1 ug/L (NL) | Within the limit |
| Chlorite | Disinfection byproducts | 0.87 (Reported level) | Actual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 1 (MCL) | Approaching the limit |
| Chloroform | Disinfection byproducts | 7.2 ug/L (Reported level) | Aug 2018 | 350 ug/L (NL) | Within the limit |
| Dibromochloromethane | Disinfection byproducts | 2.6 ug/L (Reported level) | Aug 2018 | 700 ug/L (NL) | Within the limit |
| NDMA | Disinfection byproducts | 7.7 ng/L (Reported level) | Oct 2020 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perchlorate | Disinfection byproducts | 0.44 ug/L (Reported level) | Feb 2022 | 25 ug/L (NL) | Within the limit |
| Bromide | Inorganic chemicals | 0.04 ug/L (Average) | Raw Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chloride | Inorganic chemicals | 14 mg/L (Average) | System-wide | 250 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Fluoride | Inorganic chemicals | 0.16 (Reported level) | Actual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 4 (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Nitrate | Inorganic chemicals | 0.14 (Reported level) | Actual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Aluminum | Metals | 94 ug/L (Reported level) | Jan 2024 | 50 ug/L (MCL) | At or above the limit |
| Barium | Metals | 19 ug/L (Reported level) | Oct 2023 | 7 ug/L (NL) | At or above the limit |
| Boron | Metals | 37 ug/L (Reported level) | Aug 2018 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chromium, Hexavalent | Metals | 0.33 ug/L (Reported level) | Oct 2020 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Copper | Metals | 90 (Reported level) | Actual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 90 (MCL) | At or above the limit |
| Iron | Metals | 0.11 mg/L (Average) | System-wide | 0.3 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Lead | Metals | 211 ug/L (Reported level) | June 1992 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Manganese | Metals | 9.38 ug/L (Average) | Finished Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Selenium | Metals | 5.4–5.4 (Reported level) | Actual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 50 (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Silica | Metals | 8.1 mg/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Sodium | Metals | 9.5 mg/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Strontium | Metals | 53 ug/L (Reported level) | Aug 2018 | 20 ug/L (NL) | At or above the limit |
| Zinc | Metals | 6.3 ug/L (Reported level) | Feb 2019 | 10 ug/L (NL) | Within the limit |
| Cryptosporidium | Microbial | 0 (Reported level) | Actual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | No federal limit | None detected |
| Giardia lamblia | Microbial | 0.1 (Reported level) | Actual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 2.3 ng/L (Reported level) | Jan 2024 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 4 ng/L (Reported level) | Dec 2018 | 2 ng/L (NL) | At or above the limit |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 3.2 ng/L (Reported level) | Aug 2018 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 3.3 ng/L (Reported level) | Aug 2018 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 7.7 ng/L (Reported level) | Feb 2022 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 8.8 ng/L (Reported level) | Feb 2022 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFAS | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 1 (Reported level) | Actual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | 0 (MCLG) | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFBA | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 8 ng/L (Reported level) | Oct 2020 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFOA | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 5.3 ng/L (Reported level) | May 2019 | 0.004 ng/L (NL) | At or above the limit |
| PFOS | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 9.7 ng/L (Reported level) | Aug 2018 | 0.02 ng/L (NL) | At or above the limit |
| Alkalinity | Physical & aggregate | 30 mg/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Color | Physical & aggregate | 4 (Average) | System-wide | 15 (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Hardness | Physical & aggregate | 56 mg/L (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Specific Conductance | Physical & aggregate | 176 (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Temperature | Physical & aggregate | 71.6 (Average) | System-wide | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| TOC | Physical & aggregate | 7.45 mg/L (Average) | Raw Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Total Dissolved Solids | Physical & aggregate | 101 mg/L (Average) | System-wide | 500 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Turbidity | Physical & aggregate | 0.25–0.25 (Reported level) | Actual Level in CWS Water for 2024 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Atrazine | VOCs & pesticides | 24 ng/L (Reported level) | Oct 2020 | 700 ng/L (NL) | Within the limit |
| Simazine | VOCs & pesticides | 16 ng/L (Reported level) | May 2019 | 700 ng/L (NL) | Within the limit |

## What these contaminants are

- **Chloramine** — A longer-lasting disinfectant made by combining chlorine with ammonia. Holds disinfection further into the pipe network, but is regulated under the same residual-disinfectant cap as chlorine.
- **Bromodichloromethane** — A trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. Counted within regulated total trihalomethanes; long-term exposure is associated with cancer and reproductive effects.
- **Bromoform** — A trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. Counted within regulated total trihalomethanes; long-term exposure is associated with liver and kidney effects.
- **Chloroform** — A trihalomethane formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. A component of regulated total trihalomethanes; long-term exposure is linked to liver and kidney effects.
- **Dibromochloromethane** — A trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. Part of regulated total trihalomethanes; long-term exposure is linked to nervous-system, liver, and kidney effects.
- **Perchlorate** — A chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. Can interfere with thyroid hormone production; has no national enforceable limit but is regulated in some states.
- **Bromide** — A naturally occurring salt found in source water. Not directly regulated, but a precursor that increases formation of brominated disinfection byproducts.
- **Chloride** — A naturally occurring salt compound. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; high levels cause a salty taste and can corrode pipes.
- **Fluoride** — A mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. Beneficial at low levels, but long-term exposure above the federal limit can cause bone disease and tooth mottling.
- **Nitrate** — A compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. Levels above the federal limit can cause 'blue baby syndrome,' a serious oxygen-transport condition in infants.
- **Aluminum** — A common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; high levels can discolor water.
- **Barium** — A metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. Long-term exposure above the federal limit can raise blood pressure.
- **Boron** — A naturally occurring element from rock and soil. No enforceable federal limit; the EPA has issued a health advisory level.
- **Chromium, Hexavalent** — Hexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. A known carcinogen by inhalation; regulated nationally only within the total-chromium limit, with stricter limits in some states.
- **Copper** — A metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. Short-term exposure causes stomach distress; long-term exposure can damage the liver and kidneys.
- **Iron** — A naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; causes rusty color, staining, and metallic taste.
- **Lead** — A toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. There is no safe level of lead; it harms brain development in children and raises blood pressure in adults. The EPA sets an action level, not a health goal above zero.
- **Manganese** — A naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. No enforceable federal limit; high levels stain fixtures and laundry and can affect taste, with a health advisory for infants.
- **Selenium** — A trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. Essential in tiny amounts, but long-term exposure above the federal limit can cause hair and fingernail loss and circulatory problems.
- **Silica** — A naturally occurring compound from sand and rock. Not federally regulated for health; relevant mainly for industrial water use.
- **Sodium** — A naturally occurring salt component. Not federally regulated for health; relevant for people on sodium-restricted diets.
- **Zinc** — A naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; high levels cause a metallic taste.
- **Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid** — HFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. Regulated by the EPA at 10 parts per trillion and included in the PFAS Hazard Index.
- **Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid** — Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Has no standalone limit but is part of the EPA PFAS Hazard Index that limits PFAS in combination.
- **Perfluoroheptanoic acid** — Perfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment.
- **Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid** — Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' Regulated by the EPA at 10 parts per trillion and included in the PFAS Hazard Index.
- **Perfluorohexanoic acid** — Perfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent and widely detected.
- **Perfluoropentanoic acid** — Perfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment.
- **PFBA** — Perfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment and the human body.
- **PFOA** — Perfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. Linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune effects; the EPA set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion.
- **PFOS** — Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. Linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and immune effects; the EPA set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion.
- **Alkalinity** — A measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. Not federally regulated for health; relevant to corrosion control and treatment.
- **Color** — A measure of visible tint in the water. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard.
- **Hardness** — A measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. Not federally regulated for health; affects scaling, soap use, and taste.
- **Specific Conductance** — A measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. Not federally regulated for health; used as a proxy for total dissolved solids.
- **Temperature** — The measured temperature of the water sample. Not regulated for health; warmer water can affect disinfection and microbial growth.
- **TOC** — Total organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. Not harmful itself, but it is the raw material that forms disinfection byproducts; removal is a treatment requirement.
- **Total Dissolved Solids** — Total dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; high levels affect taste and hardness.
- **Turbidity** — A measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. High turbidity can shelter microbes from disinfection; the EPA enforces it through a treatment-technique standard.
- **Atrazine** — A widely used agricultural herbicide that reaches water through runoff. Long-term exposure above the federal limit can affect the cardiovascular and reproductive systems.

## How to read this

- A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
- 'Federal limit' is the EPA standard (MCL, action level, treatment technique, etc.) that the measured level is compared against.
- 'At or above the federal limit' means the utility's own reported figure met or exceeded that standard.

_Figures are the utility's own published numbers. Generated 2026-05-25 from thewatermap.com._