Tap Water Results

Is Hilton Head Island, SC tap water safe?

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

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Hilton Head Public Service District 1. 4 PFAS were detected below the limits.

6 public water systems serve parts of Hilton Head Island. The largest, Hilton Head Public Service District 1, serves 25,558 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Hilton Head Public Service District 1

25,558 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID SC0720006

Buys treated water from Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
One sample above limit
3.5 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
PFOS
One sample above limit
3.78 ppt4 pptOne sample above 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.

Lead: 1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

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.

Hilton Head Island homes and lead pipes

24%
of homes built before 1980 (South Carolina 33%, US 50%)
0%
built before 1950 (South Carolina 6%)
21%
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. How to check your own line.

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

Other water systems serving Hilton Head Island

  • South Island Public Service District
    18,299 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Lithium above screening level
  • Broad Creek Public Service District
    3,481 people · Purchased surface water · South Carolina · reported ZIPs here
    Lithium above screening level
  • Water Oak Utility County
    2,318 people · Purchased surface water · South Carolina · lists this city
    Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) violations
  • Daufuskie Isl Utilities – Haig Point
    608 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • Wells East S/D
    60 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Bluffton 11 mi
Bjwsa Palm Key Water System
Bjwsa Palm Key Water SystemNot tested11 ppb
Charleston 63 mi
Charleston Water System
Charleston Water SystemAbove limit3.5 ppb
North Charleston 64 mi
Charleston Water System
Charleston Water SystemAbove limit3.5 ppb
Summerville 65 mi
Summerville Commission of Public Works
Summerville Commission of Public WorksAbove limit0.3 ppb
Mount Pleasant 66 mi
Mt Pleasant Waterworks
Mt Pleasant WaterworksAbove limit1 ppb
Goose Creek 70 mi
City of Goose Creek
City of Goose CreekNone above limits0 ppb
Hilton Head Island ZIP codes (2)
  • 29926
  • 29928

Questions

Is Hilton Head Island tap water safe to drink?

Hilton Head Public Service District 1 has had no health-based violations since 2016. 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 Hilton Head Island, SC?

6 public water systems serve parts of Hilton Head Island. The largest is Hilton Head Public Service District 1 (25,558 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Hilton Head Island tap water have PFAS?

Hilton Head Public Service District 1 had 4 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Hilton Head Island homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 24% of Hilton Head Island 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. Hilton Head Public Service District 1'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.