South Carolina · population 126,005
Lead pipes in North Charleston, SC
6,506 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of North Charleston (population 126,005) 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 North Charleston
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Water System (Sc1010001)Main system | 6,504 | 2 | 65,064 | 4.8% |
| DCWS Ashley Phosphate (Sc1820008)Also serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
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 North 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
- Hanahan6,506 lead + galv. lines
- Goose Creek1 lead + galv. lines
- Lincolnvilleno lead reported
- Charleston6,506 lead + galv. lines
- Summervilleno lead reported
- Ravenel6,506 lead + galv. lines
- Mount Pleasantno lead reported
- Hollywood6,506 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does North Charleston, SC have lead pipes?
Yes. Charleston Water System (Sc1010001), which serves North Charleston, reported 6,504 lead and 2 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 65,064 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to North Charleston?
EPA's service area maps place most of North Charleston in Charleston Water System (Sc1010001)'s service area (PWSID SC1010001). DCWS Ashley Phosphate (Sc1820008) also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my North 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 North 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.