Quick answer
About 877,000 people in South Carolina (19.0% of residents) got their water from private wells in 2010, according to USGS estimates. South Carolina Department of Environmental Services runs the state’s private well guidance. We didn’t find a free statewide well testing program in South Carolina. Certified labs charge for each test, and some county health departments offer lower-cost bacteria and nitrate tests.
- People on private wells
- 877,409
- Share of residents
- 19.0%
- Rank among states
- 15th
- Well users modeled above 10 µg/L arsenic
- 1.5%
Where to get your well tested in South Carolina
- South Carolina Department of Environmental Services: Private Drinking Water Wells, the state’s guidance for private well owners.
- Well water testing in South Carolina: what to test for and how to collect a sample.
- Certified laboratories in South Carolina. Use a lab certified for drinking water, so results are reliable.
Free or low-cost testing
We didn’t find a free statewide program in South Carolina. Certified labs charge per test; county health departments sometimes offer lower-cost bacteria and nitrate tests.
Mail-in lab kits are another option when no local lab is convenient. See well water test kits for what home kits can and can’t tell you.
What to test for
- Every year: total coliform bacteria and nitrate.
- Before buying equipment: pH, hardness, iron, manganese and, if there’s a smell, hydrogen sulfide.
- Based on location: arsenic, uranium and radon, PFAS, and lead in older plumbing.
Private wells by county
Estimated people relying on private wells in each South Carolina county in 2010, the share of residents that represents, and the modeled share of well users with arsenic above 10 µg/L. These are USGS model estimates (2010 population), not measurements of any well. Arsenic is hidden for counties with fewer than 500 well users.
| County | People on wells | Share | Arsenic >10 µg/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington County | 47,227 | 18.0% | 1.3% |
| Horry County | 45,375 | 16.8% | 2.6% |
| York County | 45,089 | 19.9% | 1.1% |
| Berkeley County | 43,749 | 24.6% | 1.2% |
| Florence County | 43,703 | 31.9% | 1.9% |
| Orangeburg County | 32,000 | 34.6% | 1.9% |
| Spartanburg County | 31,353 | 11.0% | 1.0% |
| Greenville County | 30,530 | 6.8% | 1.3% |
| Aiken County | 29,318 | 18.3% | 1.1% |
| Sumter County | 27,088 | 25.2% | 1.7% |
| Richland County | 26,634 | 6.9% | 1.4% |
| Charleston County | 26,629 | 7.6% | 2.0% |
Show all 46 counties
| Williamsburg County | 23,696 | 68.8% | 1.2% |
| Colleton County | 23,494 | 60.4% | 1.1% |
| Darlington County | 21,855 | 31.8% | 4.0% |
| Clarendon County | 21,775 | 62.3% | 1.1% |
| Dorchester County | 21,060 | 15.4% | 1.0% |
| Laurens County | 20,059 | 30.1% | 1.3% |
| Anderson County | 19,792 | 10.6% | 1.1% |
| Chesterfield County | 18,310 | 39.2% | 1.7% |
| Chester County | 17,866 | 53.9% | 1.7% |
| Newberry County | 16,226 | 43.3% | 1.6% |
| Greenwood County | 15,512 | 22.3% | 1.2% |
| Lancaster County | 15,111 | 19.7% | 1.5% |
| Beaufort County | 14,447 | 8.9% | 2.8% |
| Saluda County | 13,845 | 69.7% | 1.0% |
| Jasper County | 12,896 | 52.0% | 2.0% |
| Cherokee County | 12,438 | 22.5% | 1.4% |
| Georgetown County | 11,999 | 19.9% | 1.3% |
| Abbeville County | 11,977 | 47.1% | 1.0% |
| Kershaw County | 11,956 | 19.4% | 1.5% |
| Calhoun County | 10,956 | 72.2% | 1.5% |
| Fairfield County | 10,768 | 44.9% | 1.1% |
| Barnwell County | 10,334 | 45.7% | 2.0% |
| Marion County | 10,324 | 31.2% | 1.9% |
| Marlboro County | 10,307 | 35.6% | 2.0% |
| Hampton County | 10,287 | 48.8% | 1.5% |
| Oconee County | 9,582 | 12.9% | 1.1% |
| Edgefield County | 9,451 | 35.0% | 1.3% |
| Dillon County | 9,383 | 29.3% | 1.3% |
| Lee County | 8,466 | 44.0% | 2.1% |
| Pickens County | 6,955 | 5.8% | 1.0% |
| Bamberg County | 6,398 | 40.0% | 2.0% |
| Allendale County | 4,229 | 40.6% | 2.0% |
| Union County | 3,866 | 13.3% | 1.2% |
| McCormick County | 3,094 | 30.2% | 1.2% |
After you get results
Enter your numbers in the test results tool to see what needs treating and in what order. The guide to reading a well water test explains units and limits.
Common questions
Does South Carolina offer free well water testing?
We didn’t find a free statewide well testing program in South Carolina. Certified labs charge for each test, and some county health departments offer lower-cost bacteria and nitrate tests.
Who oversees private wells in South Carolina?
South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (Private Drinking Water Wells) publishes guidance for private well owners. Private wells aren’t covered by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, so testing and treatment are up to the owner.
How many people use private wells in South Carolina?
USGS estimates about 877,000 people, or 19.0% of the population in 2010. That ranks 15th of the states covered by the estimate.
What should I test my well for in South Carolina?
Test every year for total coliform bacteria and nitrate, plus pH, hardness, iron and manganese before buying equipment. Ask the state program or a certified lab about local concerns such as arsenic, uranium or PFAS.
Sources
- South Carolina Department of Environmental Services: Private Drinking Water Wells
- South Carolina Department of Environmental Services: well water testing
- South Carolina certified laboratories
- USGS data release: domestic well locations and populations served, 2000 and 2010 (Johnson, Belitz and Lombard, 2019)
- CDC Environmental Public Health Tracking: private well water data (from USGS)