State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM214
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM22
Hard · 121–180 PPM0
Very hard · 181+ PPM0
State water index
South Carolina water hardness
Search 173 indexed communities and 236 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median indexed hardness
19PPM
Soft
Indexed range 4.2–106 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 236
- Cities
- 173
- Matched utilities
- 377
- Counties
- 45
Understanding South Carolina
Why local comparisons matter here
South Carolina extends from the Blue Ridge through the Piedmont to the Coastal Plain, crossing distinct river, reservoir, and aquifer settings.
In this index, soft is the largest category, covering 214 of 236 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 19 PPM, but the full indexed range is 4.2–106 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 100%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 22%
107
Low-confidence hardness profiles
98
Nearest site more than 25 miles away
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 217
- Surface water
- 160
Highest medians
Hardest indexed cities
- 1. Daufuskie Island106 PPM
- 2. Hardeeville106 PPM
- 3. Bluffton103 PPM
- 4. Loris99 PPM
- 5. North Myrtle Beach99 PPM
Lowest medians
Softest indexed cities
- 1. Waterloo4 PPM
- 2. Wallace5 PPM
- 3. Pickens5 PPM
- 4. Johnston5 PPM
- 5. Jenkinsville5 PPM
City directory
Explore South Carolina by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
173 cities · 236 ZIP profiles
173 cities found
Page 1 of 8
Abbeville
Abbeville County · 1 ZIP
13PPM
Single indexed value1 active record
Adams Run
Charleston County · 1 ZIP
90PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Aiken
Aiken County · 2 ZIPs
12PPM
Range 12.1–12.57 active records
Allendale
Allendale County · 1 ZIP
29PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Anderson
Anderson County · 2 ZIPs
19PPM
Range 13–25.9No active flag
Andrews
Williamsburg County · 1 ZIP
88PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Awendaw
Charleston County · 1 ZIP
90PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bamberg
Bamberg County · 1 ZIP
19PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Barnwell
Barnwell County · 1 ZIP
14PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Beaufort
Beaufort County · 4 ZIPs
98PPM
Range 89.9–97.6No active flag
Beech Island
Aiken County · 1 ZIP
7PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Belton
Anderson County · 1 ZIP
20PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bennettsville
Marlboro County · 1 ZIP
12PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bethune
Kershaw County · 1 ZIP
9PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Blacksburg
Cherokee County · 1 ZIP
32PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bluffton
Beaufort County · 1 ZIP
103PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bowman
Orangeburg County · 1 ZIP
14PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Branchville
Orangeburg County · 1 ZIP
19PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Brunson
Hampton County · 1 ZIP
29PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Calhoun Falls
Abbeville County · 1 ZIP
13PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Camden
Kershaw County · 1 ZIP
12PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Carlisle
Chester County · 1 ZIP
13PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Catawba
York County · 1 ZIP
6PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Cayce
Lexington County · 1 ZIP
12PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest indexed county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper County | 98 PPM | 89.9–106 | 2 |
| Beaufort County | 94 PPM | 25.7–106 | 10 |
| Georgetown County | 61 PPM | 25.2–95.9 | 2 |
| Hampton County | 43 PPM | 28.6–47.9 | 8 |
| Spartanburg County | 32 PPM | 25.9–31.8 | 9 |
| Cherokee County | 32 PPM | 31.8–31.8 | 4 |
| Union County | 32 PPM | 31.8–31.8 | 3 |
| Marion County | 31 PPM | 28.7–32.7 | 2 |
| Dorchester County | 29 PPM | 13.4–51.2 | 7 |
| Allendale County | 29 PPM | 28.6–28.6 | 1 |
| Horry County | 28 PPM | 25.7–98.5 | 7 |
| Greenville County | 26 PPM | 19.5–25.9 | 11 |