Is Charleston tap water safe to drink?

Yes with good quality

Charleston's tap water meets all EPA standards and scores well on our analysis. It is generally safe to drink though filtration can improve taste and provide extra precaution.

82/100
Purity Score
2
Issues Found
2.5 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

2 Issues Detected in Charleston

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Charleston

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.2 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Charleston
South Carolina

294,012,940,329,405 · Edisto River and local reservoirs

Water Quality in Charleston, SC (2026)

Low Risk Updated March 2026 137,566 residents
See Best Filters for Charleston
82
Purity Score

Residents of Charleston draw from Edisto River and local reservoirs infrastructure managed by Charleston Water System. This 2026 analysis evaluates safety, identifies any concerns, and recommends the best home filtration options.

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
2.2 ppb
Nitrate
0.4 mg/L
Arsenic
0.2 mg/L
Hardness
2.5 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Charleston's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

82 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Charleston tap water is sourced from Edisto River and local reservoirs and treated by Charleston Water System. Overall purity score: 82/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Charleston's 2 issues.

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Explore Charleston Water Data

PFAS in CharlestonForever chemicals
Lead in CharlestonLead risk
Charleston Hard WaterHardness data
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Charleston Water FAQ

Is Charleston SC tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Charleston tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 82/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Charleston SC use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Charleston uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.5 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Charleston SC water and what is the TDS level?
Charleston water hardness is 2.5 grains per gallon (soft) with a TDS of 85 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Charleston SC drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Charleston drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Charleston?
Based on Charleston's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Charleston has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

ColumbiaSouth Carolina — 82/100GreenvilleSouth Carolina — 82/100North CharlestonSouth Carolina — 82/100Rock HillSouth Carolina — 82/100Mount PleasantSouth Carolina — 82/100SpartanburgSouth Carolina — 82/100

All South Carolina cities

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Charleston Water System CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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