Loading water data...
Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) • Updated October 2026
Grade D — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) has notable problems in EPA's records — health-based violations, elevated lead or PFAS above the federal limit. A certified filter is a reasonable precaution.
Columbia, SC tap water is legal to drink but grades D on EPA's records, mainly because of 1 health-based EPA violation in the last five years and PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to those findings is a reasonable precaution.
Columbia, SC tap water is legal to drink but grades D on EPA's records, mainly because of 1 health-based EPA violation in the last five years and PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to those findings is a reasonable precaution.
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001)'s most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 5 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2024-12-19 to 2025-09-23) detected HFPO-DA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) has 3 violations on file since 2016: 1 health-based in the last five years and 0 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 354,068 people (EPA PWSID SC4010001).
We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result. An NSF/ANSI 53 lead-certified filter addresses lead.
Compare filter options for your Columbia tap water
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Columbia's UCMR5 sampling.
See the filters matched to Columbia's EPA results → — which certification actually removes what was found here, and what it does not touch.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
Amazon. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-10-16
EPA records 1 health-based violation for this system in the last five years, all of which are marked resolved or archived. Health-based violations mean a contaminant exceeded its Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) or a required treatment step was not met.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageChlorite | MCL exceeded | 2024-12-01 → 2024-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2024-12-16 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, E. coli (RTCR)Revised Total Coliform Rule | MCL exceeded | 2021-04-01 → 2021-04-30 | Resolvedreturned 2021-04-30 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Chlorite | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-08-01 → 2017-08-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-08-31 |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-06)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001)
Below the action level, but detectable. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31), 90% of the homes COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) sampled had lead at or below 5 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2018-01-01 → 2020-12-31 | 7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2015-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | 3.8 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2012-01-01 → 2014-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2009-01-01 → 2011-12-31 | 4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2006-01-01 → 2008-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2003-01-01 → 2005-12-31 | 4.1 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2002-01-01 → 2002-12-31 | 6 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2001-01-01 → 2001-12-31 | 6.7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2000-01-01 → 2001-01-10 | 3 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2000-01-01 → 2000-12-31 | 3 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1999-01-01 → 1999-07-10 | 9 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-06)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2024-12-19 to 2025-09-23 · 232 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFOA and PFOS measured at or above EPA's legal limit in at least one sample. Utilities have until 2029 (2031 under EPA's proposed extension) to comply with the 2024 PFAS rule, so a result above the MCL today is not yet a violation — but it is the number that matters for your health.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 6 / 8 | 6.9 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 6 / 8 | 8.6 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 0 / 8 | < 3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 8 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 5 / 8 | 9.2 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 4 / 8 | 5.2 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFHpA | 1 / 8 | 3 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFHxA | 8 / 8 | 5.7 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFPeA | 8 / 8 | 6.8 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
What PFAS are and how to remove them → · Best filters for PFAS →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Haloacetic acids (HAA5) is flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 170 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 10 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Nitrate (as N) | 1715 detects | 0.227 mg/L | 0.47 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 17 | 0.581 mg/L | 0.67 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 170 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 100 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Radium-226/228 | 20 detects | 0 pCi/L | ND | 5 pCi/LMCL | Not detected |
| Gross alpha | 20 detects | 0 pCi/L | ND | 15 pCi/LMCL | Not detected |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 312 | 27.571 µg/L | 64.7 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 312 | 31.605 µg/L | 68.6 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 3 single samples over MCL; average within limit |
| Lead (tap samples) | 10033 detects | 0.861 µg/L | 13 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 10099 detects | 47.538 µg/L | 450 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Columbia will follow up - no obligation.
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) · 161,692 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) reports no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines and has classified 99% of its 161,692 lines as non-lead. Lead can still come from pre-1986 plumbing and fixtures inside a home.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID SC4010001 · See all South Carolina lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Surface-water systems draw from rivers, lakes or reservoirs and must filter and disinfect, which is why disinfection byproducts (TTHM, HAA5) are the readings to watch.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Columbia homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Columbia faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Columbia households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What Columbia residents measured at their own tap. All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for Columbia yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
Columbia ranks #65 of 66 graded South Carolina cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Columbia's water, with removal options for each.
Columbia, SC tap water is legal to drink but grades D on EPA's records, mainly because of 1 health-based EPA violation in the last five years and PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to those findings is a reasonable precaution.
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001)'s most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 5 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2024-12-19 to 2025-09-23) detected HFPO-DA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) has 3 violations on file since 2016: 1 health-based in the last five years and 0 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
COLUMBIA CITY OF (SC4010001) reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 354,068 people (EPA PWSID SC4010001).
We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result. An NSF/ANSI 53 lead-certified filter addresses lead.
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Columbia's UCMR5 sampling.
Most Popular for Lead
ZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher
NSF 53 certified to reduce lead & chromium — no installation, the easiest way to start protecting your water today.
Check Price on AmazonCompare direct from Waterdrop
Filters rated for lead reduction
Waterdrop's lead collection — every filter here is selected for lead reduction, so you can compare options rated for this exact problem.
Shop Filters Rated for Lead →Whole-Home Filtration System
Whole-house system — treats every tap at the source
For consistently poor water, a whole-home system filters every faucet, shower, and appliance — the permanent, install-once fix that goes beyond a single point-of-use filter.
Explore Whole-Home SystemsNot sure what filter you need?
Test your tap water first, so you filter for what's actually in it.
Shop Home Water Test Kits →We may earn a commission from Amazon and Waterdrop when you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Find the right filter for your Columbia water quality needs:
Understand your water better with our in-depth guides on contaminants, filtration, and water safety.