Hardness
Soft
27 PPM · 1.6 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Beaufort County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- Hilton Head Psd 1 (0720006)
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Beaufort County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0021 mg/L
14% of action level
Utility match
5 systems
Serves 25,558 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
27 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
27
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
1.6
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 27 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
9
Nearest site
25.1 mi
Observation range
Jan 11, 2016–May 12, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: SAVANNAH RIVER AT GA 25, AT PORT WENTWORTH, GA (Tidal stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 29926 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Hilton Head Island median
27 PPM
About the same2 indexed ZIP readings · Range 27–27.7 PPM
South Carolina median
19 PPM
8 PPM higher236 indexed ZIP readings · Range 4.2–106 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.0021 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0021
EPA limit 0.015
TTHM
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.083
EPA limit 0.08
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 5
- Health-based
- 3
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | SC0750026 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2025through Feb 9, 2026 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | SC0750036 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Nov 27, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | SC0750036 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Nov 27, 2024 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.083 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | SC0750002 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Mar 31, 2024 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.081 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | SC0750002 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Hilton Head Island ZIP 29926 using 27 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
TTHM has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Hilton Head Island
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Hilton Head Island
Is tap water safe in Hilton Head Island?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 27 PPM, or 1.6 grains per gallon, classified as soft. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.