COLUMBIA, South Carolina Tap Water Quality

353,478 people served · 117 water systems

Failing

Satellite view of COLUMBIA, South Carolina

Satellite imagery via Esri World Imagery — approximate city center, not a facility address.

COLUMBIA, South Carolina is a large city with 353,478 residents served by 117 distinct public water systems. Water service covers ZIP codes 29201, 29203, 29204, 29205, 29206, 29210, and 2 more.

COLUMBIA has accumulated a significant number of EPA health-based violations. Reviewing the contaminants involved, requesting your utility's Consumer Confidence Report, and using certified point-of-use filtration is strongly advisable.

EPA reporting identifies Lead, Coliform Bacteria, Arsenic, and Lead among the regulated contaminants associated with COLUMBIA's recent health-based violations. Each contaminant has different sources, health implications, and recommended mitigation steps — links to the full EPA reference for each are listed alongside the violation history below.

COLUMBIA's 49 violations is above the South Carolina average of 3.9 per city — worth reviewing the contaminant breakdown below.

Last updated: 2026-05-18 · Source: EPA SDWIS

Location

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Centered on ZIP-code centroids of water systems serving this city.

ZIP Codes Served

29201 29203 29204 29205 29206 29210 29223 29224

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

EPA Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances reported by water systems serving COLUMBIA. Each entry explains the contaminant, the health risk, and recommended precautions, and links to a full guide.

Arsenicchemical

EPA Code 1009 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0.01 mg/L

Last Reading

1.33 MG/L

First Reported

Dec 2024

Most Recent

Dec 2024

What this violation means

Arsenic is a known human carcinogen that occurs naturally in groundwater across many parts of the United States, especially the Southwest and parts of New England. Long-term exposure even at low levels has been linked to bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and developmental effects in children.

Recommended precautions

→Reverse osmosis filtration removes arsenic effectively.
→Distillation also removes arsenic — point-of-use distillers work for drinking and cooking water.
→Boiling does NOT remove arsenic. It actually concentrates it as water evaporates.
→If your well water has arsenic, test annually and treat at the point of entry.

Read the complete guide to Arsenic

Leadchemical

EPA Code 5200 · Treatment Technique Violation

violations

EPA Limit

0.015 mg/L

Last Reading

—

First Reported

Oct 2024

Most Recent

Oct 2024

What this violation means

Lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe exposure level. In drinking water it primarily enters via corroded lead service lines, lead-soldered copper pipes, and brass fixtures. Children under 6 and pregnant women face the highest risk because lead disrupts developing nervous and skeletal systems.

Recommended precautions

→Run cold tap water 30–120 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially after the tap has been unused for hours.
→Never cook with hot tap water — heat increases lead leaching from pipes.
→Use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter for lead removal (carbon block or reverse osmosis).
→If you have children, get blood lead levels tested by your pediatrician.

Read the complete guide to Lead

Leadchemical

EPA Code 5000 · Treatment Technique Violation

violations

EPA Limit

0.015 mg/L

Last Reading

—

First Reported

Jan 2022

Most Recent

Jan 2022

What this violation means

Recommended precautions

→Run cold tap water 30–120 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially after the tap has been unused for hours.
→Never cook with hot tap water — heat increases lead leaching from pipes.
→Use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter for lead removal (carbon block or reverse osmosis).
→If you have children, get blood lead levels tested by your pediatrician.

Read the complete guide to Lead

Coliform Bacteriamicrobial

EPA Code 8000 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0 per 100 mL presence/absence

Last Reading

—

First Reported

Apr 2021

Most Recent

Aug 2021

What this violation means

Total coliform bacteria are themselves usually harmless, but their presence signals that the water distribution system has a vulnerability — typically a cracked pipe, loss of pressure, or back-siphonage — that could allow disease-causing pathogens to enter. Repeated coliform-positive samples trigger mandatory utility investigation.

Recommended precautions

→If your utility issues a boil-water advisory, boil all drinking and cooking water for at least one minute.
→Use bottled water until the advisory is lifted.
→Ice from icemakers and beverages made before the advisory should be discarded.
→UV light and chlorination both kill coliform bacteria — most home filters do not.

Read the complete guide to Coliform Bacteria

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Health-based violations only. Older violations may have been resolved; check your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for current status.

Water Systems Serving COLUMBIA

LIEBER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE (1870050)

PWSID: SC1870050

1,646 served

WINSOR VALLEY MHP (SC4060008)

PWSID: SC4060008

68 served

PINE VALLEY COMMUNITY (SC4060024)

PWSID: SC4060024

21 served

LAKEWOOD MHP (SC4060032)

PWSID: SC4060032

110 served

SANDY HILL MHP (SC4060064)

PWSID: SC4060064

81 served

MCDONALDS MHP (SC4060010)

PWSID: SC4060010

16 served

13 violations

PALMETTO PARK (4060006)

PWSID: SC4060006

132 served

COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001)

PWSID: SC4010001

319,500 served

13 violations

PERCIVAL ESTATES MHP (SC4060021)

PWSID: SC4060021

12 served

4 violations

FREEWAY MHP (SC4060005)

PWSID: SC4060005

135 served

MACDOUGALL CORRECTIONAL INST (SC0870050)

PWSID: SC0870050

790 served

BGWC TANYA TERRACE (SC3250023)

PWSID: SC3250023

54 served

BGWC MILMONT SHORES (SC3250025)

PWSID: SC3250025

57 served

BGWC VANARSDALE S/D (3250027)

PWSID: SC3250027

509 served

BGWC PARKWOOD S/D (3250029)

PWSID: SC3250029

311 served

BGWC BELLEMEAD S/D (3250031)

PWSID: SC3250031

367 served

BGWC CHARWOOD S/D (3250035)

PWSID: SC3250035

683 served

BGWC FOX TRAIL (SC3250038)

PWSID: SC3250038

94 served

BGWC CREEKWOOD (3250042)

PWSID: SC3250042

136 served

BGWC PEACHTREE ACRES (3250045)

PWSID: SC3250045

124 served

BGWC CEDARWOOD (SC3250047)

PWSID: SC3250047

300 served

BGWC LEXINGTON ESTATES (SC3250050)

PWSID: SC3250050

419 served

BGWC INDIAN PINES (SC3250051)

PWSID: SC3250051

43 served

BGWC ROLLINGWOOD (SC3250052)

PWSID: SC3250052

493 served

BGWC LAKE VILLAGE (SC3250054)

PWSID: SC3250054

197 served

BGWC WINDY HILL (SC3250057)

PWSID: SC3250057

375 served

BGWC GLENN VILLAGE II (SC3250058)

PWSID: SC3250058

1,116 served

BGWC WESTSIDE TERRACE (3250002)

PWSID: SC3250002

172 served

BGWC LAKEWOOD ESTATES (SC3250005)

PWSID: SC3250005

492 served

BGWC I-20 (SC3250012)

PWSID: SC3250012

6,637 served

BGWC MURRAY LODGE (3250013)

PWSID: SC3250013

146 served

BGWC HEATHERWOOD-BLUE RIDGE (SC3250015)

PWSID: SC3250015

455 served

BGWC FALCON RANCHES (SC3250016)

PWSID: SC3250016

278 served

BGWC OAKRIDGE HUNT CLUB (SC4050019)

PWSID: SC4050019

208 served

7 violations

BGWC OAKLAND PLANTATION (SC4350006)

PWSID: SC4350006

1,180 served

BGWC POCALLA DEVELOPMENT (SC4350007)

PWSID: SC4350007

327 served

BGWC ROCK BLUFF S/D (4550001)

PWSID: SC4550001

45 served

BGWC WESLEYWOOD (SC4650016)

PWSID: SC4650016

65 served

BGWC WINTERCREST (SC4650017)

PWSID: SC4650017

503 served

BGWC IDLEWOOD (SC3250017)

PWSID: SC3250017

134 served

BGWC BARNEY RHETT (SC4650018)

PWSID: SC4650018

114 served

BGWC FOXWOOD (SC4650008)

PWSID: SC4650008

570 served

BGWC SHANDON (SC4650009)

PWSID: SC4650009

183 served

BGWC SPRINGLAKE ESTATES (SC4650012)

PWSID: SC4650012

36 served

BGWC COUNTRY OAKS (SC4650020)

PWSID: SC4650020

359 served

BGWC HICKORY HILL (SC4650025)

PWSID: SC4650025

95 served

BGWC WOODBRIDGE (SC4650028)

PWSID: SC4650028

173 served

BGWC RIDGEWOOD (SC4650031)

PWSID: SC4650031

175 served

BGWC SILVER LAKES-WINDWOOD (SC4650034)

PWSID: SC4650034

191 served

BGWC CAROWOOD (SC4650035)

PWSID: SC4650035

212 served

BGWC HIDDEN LAKES (SC4650040)

PWSID: SC4650040

121 served

BGWC KIMS ACRES (SC4650041)

PWSID: SC4650041

152 served

BGWC OLD FARM (SC4650042)

PWSID: SC4650042

52 served

BGWC VALLEYMERE MH (SC4650046)

PWSID: SC4650046

59 served

BGWC BROWN NEAL (SC4650047)

PWSID: SC4650047

52 served

BGWC WINDY RUN (SC4650048)

PWSID: SC4650048

90 served

BGWC LESSLIEWOODS 2 (SC4650051)

PWSID: SC4650051

41 served

BGWC MIDDLESTREAM (SC4650052)

PWSID: SC4650052

88 served

BGWC OLYMPIC ACRES (SC4650053)

PWSID: SC4650053

209 served

BGWC FARM POND (SC4650056)

PWSID: SC4650056

70 served

BGWC MALLARD LAKES (SC4650057)

PWSID: SC4650057

137 served

BGWC CAMERON ACRES (SC4650059)

PWSID: SC4650059

70 served

BGWC BROWN BOROUGH (SC4650061)

PWSID: SC4650061

193 served

BGWC CARROLLTON PLACE S/D (SC4650062)

PWSID: SC4650062

108 served

BGWC HARBORSIDE (SC3270302)

PWSID: SC3270302

286 served

BGWC LANDS END CONDOS (SC3270300)

PWSID: SC3270300

359 served

BGWC HUNTERS GLEN S/D (0250005)

PWSID: SC0250005

97 served

BGWC PURDY SHORES (0150014)

PWSID: SC0150014

268 served

BGWC TOWN CREEK (SC0450003)

PWSID: SC0450003

275 served

BGWC EDGEBROOK (0450004)

PWSID: SC0450004

48 served

BGWC GREENFOREST (SC0450006)

PWSID: SC0450006

173 served

BGWC NEVITT FOREST (SC0450007)

PWSID: SC0450007

966 served

BGWC CALHOUN ACRES (SC0450014)

PWSID: SC0450014

196 served

BGWC BELLE MEAD ACRES (SC0450016)

PWSID: SC0450016

175 served

BGWC CLEARVIEW (SC0450026)

PWSID: SC0450026

158 served

BGWC SHERWOOD FOREST (SC0450029)

PWSID: SC0450029

97 served

BGWC FIELDCREST (SC0450032)

PWSID: SC0450032

65 served

BGWC BRIDGEWATER (SC0450033)

PWSID: SC0450033

270 served

BGWC TANGLEWOOD S/D (SC4150011)

PWSID: SC4150011

29 served

BGWC SOUTHBEND ESTATES (SC4660100)

PWSID: SC4660100

111 served

BGWC PEPPERIDGE (SC4660101)

PWSID: SC4660101

142 served

BGWC RIVERBEND ESTATES (SC4660103)

PWSID: SC4660103

93 served

BGWC POLLYS CIRCLE (SC4660073)

PWSID: SC4660073

114 served

BGWC LESSLIEDALE (SC4660095)

PWSID: SC4660095

75 served

BGWC SHILOH QUARTERS (SC4660092)

PWSID: SC4660092

157 served

BGWC SPRINGFIELD ACRES (SC4050006)

PWSID: SC4050006

130 served

BGWC CHARLESWOOD S/D (4050008)

PWSID: SC4050008

484 served

BGWC HARMON HILL ESTATES (SC4050011)

PWSID: SC4050011

126 served

BGWC FARROWWOOD ESTATES (SC4050012)

PWSID: SC4050012

356 served

BGWC WASHINGTON HEIGHTS (SC4050013)

PWSID: SC4050013

190 served

BGWC STONEGATE (SC4050014)

PWSID: SC4050014

352 served

BGWC RAINTREE ACRES (SC4050015)

PWSID: SC4050015

799 served

BGWC HILL AND DALE (SC0450036)

PWSID: SC0450036

173 served

BGWC DOBBINS ESTATE (SC0450058)

PWSID: SC0450058

196 served

BGWC HAYNIE BUILDERS (SC0450063)

PWSID: SC0450063

270 served

BGWC LAKEWOOD (SC0450065)

PWSID: SC0450065

183 served

BGWC SURFSIDE HEIGHTS (SC0450066)

PWSID: SC0450066

61 served

BGWC HIDDEN LAKE (SC0450072)

PWSID: SC0450072

227 served

BGWC OAKWOOD ESTATES (0450076)

PWSID: SC0450076

132 served

BGWC TROLLINGWOOD S/D (SC2350010)

PWSID: SC2350010

180 served

BGWC KINGSWOOD S/D (SC2350011)

PWSID: SC2350011

77 served

BGWC WOODMONT ESTATE (SC2350013)

PWSID: SC2350013

59 served

BGWC SANGAREE MHP (SC3260012)

PWSID: SC3260012

174 served

BGWC THE LANDINGS (3250063)

PWSID: SC3250063

430 served

BGWC ESTATES AT HILTON (SC3250103)

PWSID: SC3250103

67 served

BGWC INDIAN FORK-40 LOVE (3250066)

PWSID: SC3250066

367 served

BGWC LEXINGTON FARMS (SC3250069)

PWSID: SC3250069

335 served

BGWC HILTON PLACE (SC3250072)

PWSID: SC3250072

87 served

BGWC HIDDEN VALLEY (SC3250073)

PWSID: SC3250073

480 served

BGWC MALLARD COVE (SC3250076)

PWSID: SC3250076

78 served

BGWC MURRAY PARK ESTATES (SC3250019)

PWSID: SC3250019

122 served

BGWC INDIAN COVE S/D (SC3250020)

PWSID: SC3250020

92 served

BGWC DUTCHMAN SHORES (SC3250021)

PWSID: SC3250021

335 served

BGWC EMMA TERRACE (SC3250022)

PWSID: SC3250022

65 served

CEDAR RETIREMENT CENTER (SC3270010)

PWSID: SC3270010

45 served

611 HARMON LLC (SC4060012)

PWSID: SC4060012

24 served

12 violations

BAY CAPITAL WATER WORKS (SC4050031)

PWSID: SC4050031

647 served

What Can You Do?

✅ Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — required by law.
✅ Use an NSF-certified water filter if violations involve lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
✅ Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing (reduces lead).
✅ Check back monthly — we update data from the EPA every 30 days.

About this data

This overview reflects EPA SDWIS data published as of 2026-05-18. It covers active Community Water Systems (CWS) that exceeded federal Maximum Contaminant Levels during the past five-year EPA reporting window. For up-to-the-minute information, request a current Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, or review the EPA's public dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is COLUMBIA, South Carolina tap water safe to drink?▼

This city's water had numerous EPA violations in the last 5 years. Consider filtered water.

How many EPA violations does COLUMBIA have?▼

COLUMBIA has 49 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 117 water systems serving 353,478 people.

What contaminants have been found in COLUMBIA water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 5200, 8000, 1009, 5000. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in COLUMBIA?▼

Using an NSF-certified water filter is recommended if your area has violations involving lead, arsenic, or PFAS. For other contaminants, consult your local water utility. Check the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for detailed guidance.

What should I do if there are violations in COLUMBIA?▼

Request your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which is required by the EPA. Follow the utility's guidance on boil water advisories. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing. Use an NSF-certified filter if needed based on your water system's violations.