Is South Carolina tap water hard or soft?
Mostly not. 0 % of the 8 cities with published data in South Carolina have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L). The median is 2.6 gpg, from 0.3 gpg in Mauldin to 3.4 gpg in North Charleston.
We have published hardness data for 8 cities in South Carolina. The median is 2.6 gpg; the hardest water is in North Charleston (3.4 gpg), the softest in Mauldin (0.3 gpg).
0 % of these cities have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L).
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Cities in South Carolina, hardest first
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | 3.4 | 58 | soft |
| James Island | 3.3 | 56 | soft |
| Charleston | 3.2 | 54 | soft |
| Myrtle Beach | 3.2 | 54 | soft |
| Columbia, SC | 2.1 | 36 | soft |
| Tega Cay | 1.5 | 27 | soft |
| Summerville | 1.3 | 23 | soft |
| Mauldin | 0.3 | 6 | soft |
FAQ
Is South Carolina water hard or soft?
Mostly not. 0 % of the 8 cities we cover have hard or very hard water; the median is 2.6 gpg.
Which city in South Carolina has the hardest water?
North Charleston, at 3.4 gpg, has the hardest water of the 8 cities with published data.
Which city in South Carolina has the softest water?
Mauldin, at 0.3 gpg, has the softest water of the 8 cities with published data.
Do I need a water softener in South Carolina?
Above about 120 mg/L (7 gpg) scale builds up in water heaters, kettles and dishwashers, and a softener or at least regular descaling pays off. Look up your own city in the table: in South Carolina the values range from 0.3 gpg to 3.4 gpg.
On a private well? Well water hardness in South Carolina by county →