On this page 6 sections
PFAS contamination from nearby military installations, lead from pre-1986 plumbing in the historic district, disinfection byproducts from treating Edisto River water, and coastal saltwater intrusion all intersect in the greater Charleston metro.
ClearFlow's trained specialists test your Charleston home's water on-site and provide a written report of your results at no cost. We serve the peninsula, West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, James Island, Summerville, and the tri-county area.
- Free in-home test — no obligation to purchase
- Lab testing for PFAS and lead when needed
- On-site results during the visit
- Recommendations based on your results
- Serving the tri-county Charleston area
Charleston Water Quality Summary
- Water Source
- Bushy Park Reservoir (about 90%) and Edisto River (about 10%) (Charleston Water System)
- Primary Concerns
- PFAS, TTHMs, Lead, Saltwater Intrusion
- Water Hardness
- Moderately soft (58.4 ppm, about 3.4 GPG, Charleston Water System)
- Utility
- Charleston Water System
- Notable Risk
- PFAS (regulated nationally since 2024)
- Last EPA Report
- 2024 Consumer Confidence Report
How hard is Charleston water?
Where we test
Also serving the Upstate: Greenville and Spartanburg
Charleston's Water Quality: A Lowcountry Reality Check
Charleston Water System draws its source water mostly from the Bushy Park Reservoir, with the rest from the Edisto River, which carries natural organic matter from the surrounding Lowcountry wetlands. When this water is treated with chlorine and chloramine to meet EPA standards, those organic compounds react to form disinfection byproducts including total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Charleston Water System publishes its measured levels each year in its Consumer Confidence Report, and the EPA sets maximum contaminant levels for these byproducts because of health concerns associated with long-term exposure.
PFAS are "forever chemicals" that persist in the environment. The Department of Defense lists Joint Base Charleston among installations where on-base testing found PFAS releases that need a remedial investigation; that finding is about the base, not your tap. The EPA has set maximum contaminant levels of 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, with compliance due in 2029.
Lead contamination is a persistent and underreported issue in Charleston's historic housing stock. Homes built before 1986 — the year lead was banned from plumbing materials — frequently have lead solder at pipe joints or lead service lines connecting to the street main. Charleston's peninsula, with its dense concentration of 19th and early 20th-century homes, is particularly at risk. The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. The only way to know if lead is present in your drinking water is to test at the tap — it has no taste, color, or odor.
Coastal Charleston also faces saltwater intrusion — a growing problem as sea levels rise and coastal aquifers are stressed by increasing population. Well owners on James Island, Johns Island, the barrier islands, and the tidal creek communities of the Lowcountry may experience elevated sodium, chloride, and total dissolved solids in their groundwater. This makes well water unsuitable for drinking and irrigation and can accelerate corrosion in plumbing and appliances.
Charleston Water Quality Challenges
Charleston's water comes mostly from the Bushy Park Reservoir, with the rest from the Edisto River. Here's what Lowcountry homeowners need to know about each specific concern.
PFAS from Military and Industrial Activity
The EPA set federal limits for PFOA and PFOS (4.0 ppt each) in 2024, and Charleston Water System publishes its PFAS results in its annual water quality report. PFAS needs a certified lab test, and ClearFlow can arrange one when your concerns or results call for it.
Disinfection Byproducts (TTHMs & HAAs)
The Edisto River's organic load reacts with chlorine and chloramine during treatment to form TTHMs and HAAs, which the EPA regulates with maximum contaminant levels. Activated carbon filtration at the point of entry is the technology commonly used to address them throughout the home.
Lead from Historic Plumbing
A significant portion of Charleston's housing stock predates the 1986 restrictions on lead in plumbing. Lead service lines, lead solder at pipe joints, and older fixtures are all potential sources, and water chemistry influences how readily lead leaches. Testing at the tap is the only way to detect lead.
Saltwater Intrusion in Coastal Areas
Rising sea levels and heavy groundwater extraction have increased saltwater intrusion into Lowcountry aquifers, particularly on the barrier islands, tidal creek communities, and low-lying peninsula areas. Elevated sodium and chloride affect taste, corrode pipes, and can be a health concern for people with high blood pressure or heart conditions.
Hard Water Scale in New Construction
Growth in Summerville, Goose Creek, and the I-26 corridor has brought many new homes with tankless water heaters and high-efficiency appliances, and manufacturers of these units commonly publish water hardness guidance and descaling requirements. A water softener addresses the minerals that form scale.
Industrial Runoff in North Charleston
The North Charleston industrial corridor — one of SC's most active port and manufacturing zones — introduces VOCs, heavy metals, and petroleum byproducts into stormwater and shallow groundwater. Well owners within proximity should test for VOCs and heavy metals annually, particularly in areas adjacent to former industrial land uses.
What ClearFlow Tests For in Charleston
We focus on the concerns Charleston homeowners ask about most: PFAS, lead in older plumbing, disinfection byproducts and saltwater in coastal wells. You get a written report explained during the visit. Most readings are taken at your tap during the visit. PFAS, lead, bacteria and similar contaminants need a certified lab, and we'll arrange one when your concerns or results call for it.
- PFAS Screening
- Lead & Copper
- TTHMs & HAAs
- Total Hardness (GPG)
- Chlorine & Chloramine
- Sodium & Chloride
- Iron & Manganese
- pH & Alkalinity
- TDS
- Nitrates
- Bacteria (Coliform)
- VOC Screening
Why Charleston Homeowners Choose ClearFlow
ClearFlow's Charleston specialists understand the Lowcountry's unique water challenges in a way that national chains simply don't. We know the Lowcountry's water: the Edisto River supply, older plumbing in the historic districts, and the PFAS questions homeowners near military sites ask.
We serve Charleston-area families from the downtown peninsula to Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and the barrier islands, helping them understand what's in their water and what their options are. If PFAS is a concern at your address, we'll arrange certified lab testing.
Book your free in-home test today — no obligation to purchase.
Areas We Serve Near Charleston
- Charleston
- Mount Pleasant
- North Charleston
- Summerville
- Goose Creek
- Hanahan
- James Island
- Johns Island
- Folly Beach
- Sullivan's Island
- Isle of Palms
- Moncks Corner
Services in Charleston
- Water Softeners in Charleston
- Whole-House Water Filtration in Charleston
- Reverse Osmosis in Charleston
- Well Water Treatment in Charleston
Related guides
- Water Filtration & Testing in Charleston
- Charleston, SC Water Quality Report
- PFAS Contamination in Charleston, SC: What Joint Base Charleston Means for Your Water
- Water Softener Cost in Myrtle Beach, SC
- Well Water Testing SC & NC
Frequently asked questions
Is Charleston, SC tap water safe to drink?
Charleston Water System meets EPA standards, but the Lowcountry's aging infrastructure and proximity to industrial sites means contaminants like lead, PFAS, and disinfection byproducts can still be present at your tap. A free in-home test gives you the real picture.
What are the biggest water quality concerns in Charleston, SC?
Charleston homeowners most commonly deal with PFAS contamination (linked to nearby military bases and industrial sites), chlorine and chloramine byproducts (TTHMs/HAAs), saltwater intrusion in coastal areas, and lead from older plumbing.
Does Charleston have hard water?
Not on Charleston Water System water. The Charleston Water System reports moderately soft water averaging 58.4 ppm (about 3.4 grains per gallon). Homes on private wells or other utilities can differ, which an in-home test will show.
What is PFAS and is it in Charleston water?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are persistent synthetic chemicals now regulated by the EPA in drinking water. Military installations and industrial activity in the Charleston area have been associated with PFAS detections in regional water sources. PFAS needs a certified lab test, and ClearFlow can arrange one when your concerns or results call for it.
Should I test my water if I have an infant at home?
Charleston Water System is required to meet federal standards. Public health guidance notes that infants can be more sensitive to certain contaminants such as nitrates and lead, so testing is commonly recommended for homes with infants — particularly older homes that may have lead service lines or solder. Consult your pediatrician for health guidance.
How do I get a free water test in Charleston?
Call (843) 742-1196 or book online. A trained ClearFlow specialist will come to your Charleston home, test your water on-site, and provide a written report of the results at no cost.