Hardness
Soft
13.3 PPM · 0.8 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Santee, SC 29142
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Orangeburg County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- Santee Town Of (sc3810011)
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Orangeburg 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
0.016 mg/L
107% of action level
Utility match
3 systems
Serves 2,388 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
13.3 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
13.3
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
0.8
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 13.3 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
18
Nearest site
31.1 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: EDISTO RIVER NR GIVHANS, SC (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 29142 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Santee median
13 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 13.3–13.3 PPM
South Carolina median
19 PPM
6 PPM lower236 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.
0 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.016 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2026
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.016
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 2
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | SC3850004 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2025through Feb 13, 2026 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | SC3810011 | Resolved | Jul 2, 2025through Mar 6, 2026 |
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 Santee ZIP 29142 using 13.3 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Lead (90th percentile) 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.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Santee
Is tap water safe in Santee?+
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 13.3 PPM, or 0.8 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.