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City water profile

Columbia water quality

Compare local ZIP estimates, evidence quality, associated public systems, and compliance history for Columbia, South Carolina.

Median indexed hardness

12PPM

13 indexed ZIPs

Range 11.8–12.5 PPM

State comparison
7 PPM below
State hardness rank
#123 of 173
Matched utilities
10
Active health records
0

City summary

What the indexed records say

Columbia has 13 published ZIP profiles across Richland County and Kershaw County and Lexington County. The indexed median is 12 PPM, compared with 19 PPM across South Carolina.

Among the 173 South Carolinacities with an indexed median, Columbia ranks #123from highest to lowest. Across all 236 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 4.2to 106 PPM.

The 11.8–12.5 PPM range shows how much the available ZIP estimates vary within the city label. At least one estimate is marked low confidence, so observation distance and date deserve extra attention.

Hardness distribution

How local ZIP estimates compare

Soft13 ZIPs
Moderately hard0 ZIPs
Hard0 ZIPs
Very hard0 ZIPs

13 of 13 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance
29 miles
Profiles with evidence
13/13

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 3Low: 10

Observation window: Jan 11, 2016 to May 12, 2026.

ZIP directory

Water reports in Columbia

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

29044

Soft

12 PPM

Nearest site
12 mi
Confidence
Moderate

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ZIP code

29045

Soft

12 PPM

Nearest site
22.6 mi
Confidence
Moderate

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ZIP code

29201

Soft

12.3 PPM

Nearest site
30.4 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

29203

Soft

12.3 PPM

Nearest site
32.2 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

29204

Soft

12.3 PPM

Nearest site
29 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

29205

Soft

12.3 PPM

Nearest site
28.7 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

29207

Soft

12.3 PPM

Nearest site
20.5 mi
Confidence
Moderate

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ZIP code

29208

Soft

12.3 PPM

Nearest site
30.4 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

29209

Soft

12.5 PPM

Nearest site
26.3 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

29210

Soft

12 PPM

Nearest site
35.4 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

29212

Soft

11.8 PPM

Nearest site
41 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

29225

Soft

12.3 PPM

Nearest site
30.6 mi
Confidence
Low

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ZIP code

29229

Soft

12 PPM

Nearest site
25.5 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Columbia City Of (sc4010001)

PWSID SC4010001

Surface water
System population served
354,068
Last reported
Jun 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Bay Capital Water Works (sc4050031)

PWSID SC4050031

Groundwater
System population served
647
Last reported
Jun 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Bgwc Charleswood S/d (4050008)

PWSID SC4050008

Surface water
System population served
484
Last reported
Jun 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Bgwc Farrowwood Estates (sc4050012)

PWSID SC4050012

Surface water
System population served
356
Last reported
Jun 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Bgwc Washington Heights (sc4050013)

PWSID SC4050013

Surface water
System population served
190
Last reported
Jun 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Silver Hill Manuf Home Comm. (sc4060019)

PWSID SC4060019

Groundwater
System population served
180
Last reported
Jun 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Freeway Mhp (sc4060005)

PWSID SC4060005

Groundwater
System population served
135
Last reported
Jun 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Palmetto Park (4060006)

PWSID SC4060006

Groundwater
System population served
132
Last reported
Jun 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Lakewood Mhp (sc4060032)

PWSID SC4060032

Groundwater
System population served
110
Last reported
Jun 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Sandy Hill Mhp (sc4060064)

PWSID SC4060064

Groundwater
System population served
81
Last reported
Jun 29, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Compliance history

What EPA records show

No active health-based violation appears among the associated systems in the represented EPA reporting quarter. This does not mean every contaminant was tested at every tap.

RecordSystemPeriodStatus
Consumer Confidence RuleSC4060019Oct 1, 2025Unaddressed
Revised Total Coliform RuleSC4060001Oct 1, 2025Resolved · health-based
Lead and Copper RuleSC4060001Oct 1, 2025Unaddressed
ChloriteSC4010001Dec 1, 2024Resolved · health-based
Consumer Confidence RuleSC4060001Oct 1, 2023Resolved
Lead and Copper RuleSC4060001Oct 1, 2022Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleSC4060001Jul 1, 2022Resolved
Surface Water Treatment RuleSC4050012Jun 1, 2022Resolved
Revised Total Coliform RuleSC4050012Jun 1, 2022Resolved
ChlorineSC4050012Apr 1, 2022Resolved

Practical next steps

Move from index to evidence

  1. 1. Open your ZIP. Check distance, dates, confidence, and the associated utility.
  2. 2. Read the current CCR. Confirm source water, detections, limits, ranges, and notices.
  3. 3. Test the tap when needed. Confirm health concerns or treatment sizing with the right method.

Questions people ask

About water in Columbia

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 12 PPM. Open the ZIP report to verify the distance and confidence behind that estimate.

Is the tap water safe?

Compliance history is utility-wide and cannot guarantee conditions at every tap. Check current notices and test when address-specific evidence is needed.

Do I need treatment?

Choose treatment only after confirming the problem at the property. A softener targets hardness; contaminant treatment requires a matching, verified performance claim.