South Carolina · population 157,665
Lead pipes in Charleston, SC
6,506 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Charleston (population 157,665) gets its water from Charleston Water System (Sc1010001). That system reported 6,504 lead and 2 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 134,896, with 65,064 more of unknown material.
4.8% of Charleston Water System (Sc1010001)'s service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, higher than the South Carolina average (0.8%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 4.8%
- Galvanized (replace) <0.1%
- Unknown 48%
- Non-lead 47%
Latest lead test for Charleston Water System (Sc1010001) (Jan 2022–Dec 2024): 3.5 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists 2 Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015, 2 health-based for Charleston Water System (Sc1010001).
Water systems serving Charleston
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Water System (Sc1010001)Main system | 6,504 | 2 | 65,064 | 4.8% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Charleston
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Charleston Water System (Sc1010001)'s official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- Mount Pleasantno lead reported
- James Island6,506 lead + galv. lines
- Hanahan6,506 lead + galv. lines
- North Charleston6,506 lead + galv. lines
- Sullivan's Islandno lead reported
- Folly Beachno lead reported
- Goose Creek1 lead + galv. lines
- Isle of Palmsno lead reported
Check another water system
Questions
Does Charleston, SC have lead pipes?
Yes. Charleston Water System (Sc1010001), which serves Charleston, reported 6,504 lead and 2 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 65,064 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Charleston?
EPA's service area maps place most of Charleston in Charleston Water System (Sc1010001)'s service area (PWSID SC1010001).
How do I check whether my Charleston home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Charleston Water System (Sc1010001)'s service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Charleston be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Charleston Water System (Sc1010001) whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.