Tap Water Results

Is Myrtle Beach, 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 City of Myrtle Beach. 7 PFAS were detected below the limits.

4 public water systems serve parts of Myrtle Beach. The largest, City of Myrtle Beach, serves 49,375 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Myrtle Beach

49,375 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID SC2610001

Buys treated water from Gswsa – Myrtle Beach Water System, Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
One sample above limit
1.32 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
PFOS
One sample above limit
2.52 ppt4 pptOne sample above limit
PFHxS
Detected, below limit
0.85 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit
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: 0.65 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: 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.

Myrtle Beach homes and lead pipes

28%
of homes built before 1980 (South Carolina 33%, US 50%)
2%
built before 1950 (South Carolina 6%)
40%
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 Myrtle Beach city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Myrtle Beach

  • Ocean Lakes Ltd Water System
    10,727 people · Purchased surface water · South Carolina · lists this city
    PFOA detectedAlso: PFOS detected
  • Lakewood Campground Water System
    4,415 people · Groundwater · South Carolina · lists this city
    No PFAS above limits
  • Gswsa – Myrtle Beach Water System
    25 people · Surface water · South Carolina · lists this city
    Lead near 2027 level

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Conway 13 mi
Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek
Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull CreekAbove limit0.51 ppb
Florence 61 mi
City of Florence
City of FlorenceAbove limit1.1 ppb
Goose Creek 81 mi
City of Goose Creek
City of Goose CreekNone above limits0 ppb
Mount Pleasant 84 mi
Mt Pleasant Waterworks
Mt Pleasant WaterworksAbove limit1 ppb
North Charleston 87 mi
Charleston Water System
Charleston Water SystemAbove limit3.5 ppb
Charleston 87 mi
Charleston Water System
Charleston Water SystemAbove limit3.5 ppb
Myrtle Beach ZIP codes (2)
  • 29572
  • 29577

Questions

Is Myrtle Beach tap water safe to drink?

City of Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach, SC?

4 public water systems serve parts of Myrtle Beach. The largest is City of Myrtle Beach (49,375 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Myrtle Beach tap water have PFAS?

City of Myrtle Beach had 7 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Myrtle Beach homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 28% of Myrtle Beach 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. City of Myrtle Beach'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.