Tap Water Results

Is Conway, SC tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA, PFOS) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

4 public water systems serve parts of Conway. The largest, Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek, serves 252,840 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek

252,840 people · Surface water · EPA ID SC2620004

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Above limit
4.17 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFOS
Above limit
4.38 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 80% of the South Carolina systems EPA tested and the PFOS average is higher than at 69% of the South Carolina systems EPA tested.

Lead: 0.51 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek results

Across South Carolina, 53 of 163 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 3 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. South Carolina results.

Conway homes and lead pipes

32%
of homes built before 1980 (South Carolina 33%, US 50%)
8%
built before 1950 (South Carolina 6%)
35%
of households rent (South Carolina 28%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Conway city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Conway

  • City of Conway
    27,005 people · Purchased surface water · South Carolina · lists this city
    PFOA detectedAlso: PFOS detected
  • Bucksport Water Company
    17,123 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) violations
  • Conway Rural Water System
    12,740 people · Purchased surface water · South Carolina · lists this city
    PFOA detectedAlso: PFOS detected

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Myrtle Beach 13 mi
City of Myrtle Beach
City of Myrtle BeachNone above limits0.65 ppb
Florence 49 mi
City of Florence
City of FlorenceAbove limit1.1 ppb
Sumter 78 mi
City of Sumter
City of SumterNone above limits0.79 ppb
Goose Creek 80 mi
City of Goose Creek
City of Goose CreekNone above limits0 ppb
Mount Pleasant 85 mi
Mt Pleasant Waterworks
Mt Pleasant WaterworksAbove limit1 ppb
North Charleston 86 mi
Charleston Water System
Charleston Water SystemAbove limit3.5 ppb
Conway ZIP codes (1)
  • 29526

Questions

Is Conway tap water safe to drink?

Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek has had no health-based violations since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Conway, SC?

4 public water systems serve parts of Conway. The largest is Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek (252,840 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Conway tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS at Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Conway homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 32% of Conway homes as built before 1980 (South Carolina: 33%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.