Frequently Asked Questions About Drinking Water
Where does my drinking water come from?
Your drinking water comes from either groundwater (wells) or surface water sources (rivers, lakes or reservoirs). In South Carolina, about 80 percent of public water systems use surface water as their source of drinking water, and about 20 percent use groundwater. To find the source of your drinking water, contact your water supplier.
See the SC Water Use Report for more information on South Carolina’s water supply usage.
Who is responsible for drinking water quality?
DHEC regulates all public water systems (PWS) and is responsible for insuring that these public water systems are in compliance with all state and federal regulations.
Local municipal, county and other government entities, along with private water suppliers are directly responsible for the quality of the water that flows to your faucet. Water systems test and treat their water, maintain the distribution systems that deliver water to consumers, and report on their water quality results to DHEC. States and the EPA provide technical assistance to water suppliers and can take legal action against systems that fail to provide water that meets state and EPA standards.
If you get your drinking water from an individual residential well (a well intended to produce potable water for human consumption at a single residence), you are not subject to the State Primary Drinking Water Regulations. If you own a residential well, you are responsible for the quality of your water. If you are concerned about the water quality of your residential well, you may contact DHEC’s Residential Well Program for more information.
Why does my drinking water taste/smell funny? What can I do about it?
Although bad tasting or bad smelling water can be offensive to consumers, in most cases, it is not considered to be a public health problem. The first step in solving a taste or odor problem with your drinking water is to determine if the problem is coming from your household plumbing or the water supplier. Ask your neighbors if they are having a similar problem. You may also contact your water supplier or local EQC Regional Office.
The most common problems are:
- Chlorine or chemical taste/smell can be caused by chlorine that is added to the water by your public water supplier, or it may be caused by the interaction of chlorine with a build-up of organic matter in your (household) plumbing system.
- Sulfur or rotten egg smell is usually caused by bacteria growing in your sink drain or water heater. In some cases, it is caused by naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide.
- Musty, moldy, earthy taste/smell is usually caused by bacteria growing in a sink’s drain or from fungi or algae that naturally grow in surface water sources.
- Metallic taste can be caused by metals such as iron.
Your drinking water may have an “off taste” if it has been sitting in the pipes for too long. Flushing out the pipes in your home by turning on all the faucets at the same time for a few minutes may get rid of the off taste.
You may also consider using certified water filters or treatment units. The National Sanitation Foundation provides a list of certified units. The EPA has additional information on taste and odor problems.
How do I disinfect my drinking water in the event of an emergency?
In the event of an emergency, you may need to disinfect (kill germs) small quantities of drinking water. Boiling is a very effective means of disinfecting drinking water. Chemical disinfection of small quantities of water for drinking is more convenient and if done correctly, is as effective as boiling.
EPA offers information on how to disinfect your water in the event of emergency.
Should I be concerned about lead in my drinking water?
Lead is found almost everywhere: in food, paint, dust, soils, air, and even some drinking water. Lead is rarely in drinking water when it leaves the treatment plant. Instead, it leaches into the water from old plumbing. Children and pregnant women are most susceptible to health risks from lead in drinking water.
Find more information about lead in your drinking water.
Should I be concerned about copper in my drinking water?
Copper is a metal that is commonly used in household plumbing and pipes. Like lead, it may leach into your drinking water from copper pipes and copper-containing fixtures in older plumbing.
The most noticeable effect produced by copper is a blue-green stain on bathroom fixtures such as tubs and sinks.
Learn more about copper in drinking water.
Should I be concerned about radium in my drinking water?
Radium is a radioactive element which can occur naturally in soil and rocks. Radium is usually not a problem in surface water sources, but can affect some groundwater sources due to local geology.
Learn more about radium in drinking water.
Who do I call?
For more information on your drinking water, you may call your water supplier or your local DHEC regional office. If you are on a public water system, you can find contact information on your water bill. If you are concerned about the water quality of your private well, you may contact DHEC’s Residential Well Program for more information.
Where can I find more information on my drinking water?
Every year, your water utility publishes a report on the quality of your drinking water (sometimes called a consumer confidence report). For additional information, visit EPA's Web site on local drinking water (provides links to state and local sources of water quality information) and drinking water and health (provides information on drinking water contaminants and their health effects).
For more information on common water quality problems, please click here.
EPA's Frequently Asked Questions
Bureau of Water . Phone: (803) 898-4300 . Fax: (803) 898-4215 . Contact Us