LeadPipeLookup

State overview

Lead service lines in South Carolina

Aggregated lead pipe inventory data for all 1,163 public water systems in South Carolina, serving approximately 4,749,202 residents.

Last verified from EPA SDWIS: 2026-04-14
Water systems
1,163
Population served
4,749,202
Known lead lines
0
Unknown material
0

Lead Service Lines in South Carolina

South Carolina's 1,163 water systems serve about 4.7 million people. Right now, there is no reported data on how many lead service lines exist in the state—most utilities have not yet completed full inventories of their underground pipes.

Why this matters

Lead service lines are the most common source of lead in drinking water. Water sits in these pipes for hours before reaching your tap, and corrosive water can leach lead into what you drink. Children and pregnant people face the highest health risks from lead exposure.

What's happening in South Carolina

The EPA requires all water utilities to locate and inventory their lead service lines by 2024 (with extensions possible to 2027). South Carolina's utilities are in the early stages of this work. Most have not yet publicly reported their findings, which is why LeadPipeCheck shows no confirmed numbers yet.

Your water system should have an inventory plan in place or completed by now. The best way to know your home's status is to contact your utility directly.

Large water systems in your state

If you live in or near one of these cities, here are the utilities you'd call:

  • Greenville Water – serves 396,265 people
  • Charleston Water System – serves 327,422 people
  • City of Columbia – serves 319,500 people
  • Greenville-Spartanburg Water System – serves 252,840 people
  • Spartanburg Water System – serves 166,364 people
  • Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority – serves 145,634 people

Smaller systems serve the remaining population.

Next steps for residents

  • Call your local water utility and ask if your service line has been tested or visually identified. Ask for your property address to be checked against their inventory.
  • Ask about the material of your service line—lead, galvanized steel, copper, or plastic all have different risks.
  • Request a free or low-cost lead test if your line is unknown or confirmed to be lead. Many utilities offer this through their health departments.
  • Check your state environment agency (South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control) for utility-specific inventory reports as they become public.

Largest public water systems in South Carolina

UtilityPWSIDPopulationKnown leadUnknown
GREENVILLE WATER (2310001)SC2310001396,265——
CHARLESTON WATER SYSTEM (SC1010001)SC1010001327,422——
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001)SC4010001319,500——
GSW&SA (SC2620004)SC2620004252,840——
SPARTANBURG WATER SYSTEM (4210001)SC4210001166,364——
BJW&SA (0720003)SC0720003145,634——
BCWSA SANGAREE W/D (0820002)SC082000295,345——
MT PLEASANT WATER WORKS (1010002)SC101000291,500——
SJWD MIDDLE TYGER WTP (4220006)SC422000687,259——
ROCK HILL CITY OF (SC4610002)SC461000284,504——
SUMMERVILLE CPW (SC1810003)SC181000381,750——
FLORENCE CITY OF (SC2110001)SC211000179,745——
LANCASTER COUNTY W&SD (SC2920001)SC292000179,107——
GREER CPW (SC2310005)SC231000554,024——
SUMTER CITY OF (SC4310001)SC431000153,070——
DARLINGTON COUNTY W&SA (SC1620001)SC162000152,288——
GREENWOOD CPW (2410001)SC241000152,022——
MYRTLE BEACH CITY OF (SC2610001)SC261000149,375——
JOINT MUNICIPAL WSC (SC3220003)SC322000347,838——
ORANGEBURG DPU (SC3810001)SC381000146,896——
AIKEN CITY OF (SC0210001)SC021000145,090——
LAURENS COUNTY W&S COMM (SC3020001)SC302000144,866——
GOOSE CREEK CITY OF (SC0810004)SC081000443,744——
N MYRTLE BEACH CITY OF (SC2610011)SC261001140,625——
DCWA KNIGHTSVILLE (SC1820001)SC182000140,141——

Cities in South Carolina

More on lead pipes in South Carolina

Frequently asked about lead pipes in South Carolina

Does South Carolina have lead in the water?

Lead enters water through pipes, not from the water source itself. South Carolina utilities are currently inventorying their lead service lines (pipes that connect homes to mains). Most have not yet reported results publicly, so the true number of lead lines in the state is unknown.

How do I know if my house has a lead service line?

Call your water utility with your address and ask them to check their inventory. You can also visually inspect the pipe where it enters your home—lead is soft and will leave a mark if you scrape it gently with a coin. When in doubt, ask your utility for an inspection or test.

Is it safe to drink water from a lead service line?

Lead can leach into water, especially in homes with corrosive water or stagnant pipes. If your line is confirmed to be lead, use a filter certified for lead removal, let water run a few seconds before drinking, and consider replacement. Talk to your doctor about testing, especially if you have young children.

When will South Carolina utilities finish their lead inventories?

The EPA deadline is 2024, though extensions to 2027 are possible. Check your utility's website or call them directly to ask about their timeline and expected publication date for results.