Arsenic in Drinking Water in South Carolina
What residents of South Carolina need to know about arsenic in drinking water — including natural geological sources, private well risk, which utilities have documented violations, and how to remove arsenic from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, South Carolina Department of Health, USGS · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is arsenic in drinking water a concern in South Carolina?
Arsenic is a moderate concern in South Carolina, primarily from Piedmont crystalline bedrock geology in the northern two-thirds of the state and from Coastal Plain sedimentary aquifer geology in the Lowcountry. The South Carolina Piedmont — geologically similar to Georgia and North Carolina's Piedmont — contains arsenic-bearing granite and metamorphic rocks that can contribute naturally occurring arsenic to private well water.
Where does arsenic come from in South Carolina's water?
Crystalline Piedmont bedrock is the primary arsenic source in the northern two-thirds of South Carolina. Private wells in Piedmont counties — Cherokee, Union, York, Chester, Lancaster, Fairfield, Newberry, Laurens, Greenwood, Abbeville, and adjacent counties — face the most direct risk from arsenic-bearing granite and gneiss geology.
What should South Carolina residents know?
South Carolina private well owners in Piedmont counties should test for arsenic. SC DHEC monitors public water systems, but private wells — used by approximately 25% of South Carolinians — are unregulated. South Carolina's fast-growing exurban counties in the Piedmont have increasing numbers of residents on private wells.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL | 10 µg/L (10 ppb) |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary source | SC Piedmont crystalline bedrock (granite, gneiss) — naturally occurring arsenic in private well water |
| Private well concern | ~25% of SC residents on private wells — unregulated for arsenic |
| State regulator | South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) |
| Health effects | Bladder, lung, skin cancer; cardiovascular; diabetes risk |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) or activated alumina |
Why Arsenic Matters in South Carolina
South Carolina's Piedmont geology creates conditions for naturally occurring arsenic in private well water across a broad swath of the state from the North Carolina border through the Midlands. As the Charlotte and Greenville-Spartanburg metros have expanded, more residents in the exurban Piedmont counties rely on private wells in arsenic-bearing geology. SC DHEC provides guidance on private well testing and a certified laboratory list.
South Carolina Arsenic Program
South Carolina DHEC monitors arsenic under federal SDWIS. Arsenic is a lower concern in South Carolina's Coastal Plain geology, though the Piedmont crystalline rock in the northwest part of the state can have elevated arsenic in private wells. Private well owners in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Cherokee counties on the Piedmont should include arsenic in their testing.
Largest South Carolina Water Utilities
No arsenic violations on record in EPA SDWIS for South Carolina utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
How Does Arsenic Get Into Drinking Water?
Arsenic in drinking water is almost always naturally occurring — it leaches from arsenic-bearing rocks and minerals into groundwater over time. New England granite, Southwest volcanic geology, and Upper Midwest glacial aquifers are the primary high-risk formations. It has no taste, odor, or color.
Full arsenic overview — geology maps, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Private well owners in SC Piedmont counties — Cherokee, Union, York, Chester, Lancaster, Fairfield, Newberry, Laurens, Greenwood, Abbeville, McCormick, Edgefield, Saluda, and adjacent counties — face the most relevant arsenic risk.
Private well owners near mining districts or agricultural areas
Residents in states with documented volcanic or geothermal geology
Long-term consumers of water from small groundwater systems
Households in homes built before 1960 with older well casings
Residents whose well water has never been tested for arsenic
Anyone living in a state where bedrock wells are common
How to Check Your Situation in South Carolina
- 1
Identify your water source. If you use a public utility, use the ZIP lookup on this page to find your system and check its compliance record.
- 2
If on public water, review your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic monitoring data. The MCL is 10 ppb — your report should show recent test results.
- 3
If on a private well, order an arsenic test from a South Carolina Department of Health-certified laboratory. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40. The state agency website maintains a certified lab list.
- 4
Test your well at the tap — not just at the wellhead. The entire water distribution system within your home can affect water quality.
- 5
If your test shows arsenic above 5 ppb, install certified treatment immediately. If above 10 ppb, do not use the water for drinking or cooking until treatment is installed.
- 6
Retest after installing treatment to confirm it is working as certified. Replace filter media on the manufacturer's schedule — an exhausted filter may not perform as rated.
Treatment Options for Arsenic
Boiling does not remove arsenic — it concentrates it. Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, etc.) do not effectively remove arsenic. Certified treatment is required.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58 — Reverse Osmosis
RO systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 remove 85–95% of arsenic. Under-sink installation. Most effective for removing multiple contaminants simultaneously. Replace membranes and pre-filters on schedule.
Activated Alumina Filters
Activated alumina is specifically designed for arsenic and fluoride removal. Point-of-use or whole-house options available. Must be certified by NSF International or WQA for arsenic reduction. Requires periodic media regeneration or replacement.
Iron/Manganese Oxidation Filters
Effective for arsenic in iron-rich well water, which is common in the Midwest and New England. Oxidation converts dissolved iron and arsenic to a form that can be filtered out. Best when arsenic is co-occurring with high iron levels.
What does NOT work for arsenic
Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, refrigerator filters, most pitcher filters) do NOT effectively remove arsenic. Boiling concentrates arsenic. Water softeners do not remove arsenic. Only use products with NSF certification specifically for arsenic reduction.
Take Action Now
If you use a private well in South Carolina, test for arsenic — especially if you are in a region with granite, volcanic, or sedimentary geology. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40 at a state-certified lab.
Public water users: check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic results. The EPA MCL is 10 ppb — any detection warrants attention.
If arsenic is detected above 10 ppb (or even below it, given MCLG is zero), install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system for drinking and cooking water.
Standard carbon filters do NOT remove arsenic — do not rely on a Brita or refrigerator filter for arsenic protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Arsenic — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with arsenic records
South Carolina State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
South Carolina Well Water Guide
Testing, risks & certified labs for private wells
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 85–95% of arsenic
Best Arsenic Filter Guide
What actually works (carbon doesn't)
PFAS in Drinking Water
The 'forever chemical' contamination overview
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Find Your Utility
State Regulator
South Carolina Department of Health ↗