Tap Water Results

Is Lexington, SC tap water safe?

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

Summary

Joint Municipal WSC, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (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.

23 public water systems serve parts of Lexington. The largest, Joint Municipal WSC, serves 54,868 people, and 2 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Joint Municipal WSC

54,868 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID SC3220003

Buys treated water from City of West Columbia, City of Cayce, Town of Lexington, Gilbert-Summit Water District.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
One sample above limit
2.1 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
PFOS
Above limit
5.58 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Detected, below limit
8.33 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit

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 PFOS average is higher than at 73% of the South Carolina systems EPA tested.

Lead: 4 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Full Joint Municipal WSC 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.

Lexington homes and lead pipes

10%
of homes built before 1980 (South Carolina 33%, US 50%)
2%
built before 1950 (South Carolina 6%)
31%
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 Lexington town (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Lexington

16 more systems
  • Lake Lodge Apartments Water System
    130 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Coliform bacteria violation
  • BGWC Murray Park Estates
    125 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Hermitage MHP
    100 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Regency Square 2 Water System
    99 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • Hillview MHP
    96 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • BGWC Fox Trail
    94 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Jakes Landing Water System
    79 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Chasehunt Farms Water System
    75 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Shealy Estates III
    70 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Midland Hills MHP
    66 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • BGWC Emma Terrace
    65 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Sunnyvale MHP
    65 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • Hidden Oaks MHP
    40 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • Country Park Water System
    36 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • Hideaway MHP
    35 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • Mills MHP 1&2
    25 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Columbia 18 mi
City of Columbia
City of ColumbiaAbove limit5 ppb
Aiken 43 mi
City of Aiken
City of AikenNone above limits2.7 ppb
Sumter 47 mi
City of Sumter
City of SumterNone above limits0.79 ppb
North Augusta 53 mi
Edgefield County Water & Sewer Authority
Edgefield County Water & Sewer AuthorityNone above limits2.1 ppb
Rock Hill 67 mi
City of Rock Hill
City of Rock HillNone above limits2 ppb
Fort Mill 72 mi
Town of Fort Mill
Town of Fort MillNone above limits0 ppb
Lexington ZIP codes (1)
  • 29072

Questions

Is Lexington tap water safe to drink?

Joint Municipal WSC had 1 health-based violation 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 Lexington, SC?

23 public water systems serve parts of Lexington. The largest is Joint Municipal WSC (54,868 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Lexington tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOS at Joint Municipal WSC. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Lexington homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 10% of Lexington 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. Joint Municipal WSC'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.