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Is Spartanburg Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 31, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Spartanburg?

Yes, Spartanburg's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Spartanburg has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page, the city's water provider website, or Spartanburg's local Twitter account.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Spartanburg's water utility, Spartanburg Water System (4210001), had 2 health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Spartanburg was resolved on June 30, 2021. This assessment is based on the Spartanburg Water System (4210001) water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Spartanburg Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Spartanburg tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Spartanburg's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Spartanburg Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Spartanburg Water System (4210001) for Spartanburg in South Carolina. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

From Jan. 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021, Spartanburg had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Treatment Technique Violation, more specifically, the violation code was WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Lead and Copper Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Lead and Copper Rule.

From July 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020, Spartanburg had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Treatment Technique Violation, more specifically, the violation code was WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Lead and Copper Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Lead and Copper Rule.

Is there Lead in Spartanburg Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Spartanburg water system, Spartanburg Water System (4210001), between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0 mg/L of lead in Spartanburg water. This is 0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Spartanburg contained more lead.

While Spartanburg water testing may have found 0.0 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Spartanburg Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - AASF Upstate - near Spartanburg with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Spartanburg has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Spartanburg SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
01/01/2021 - 06/30/2021 Resolved Yes Treatment Technique Violation (TT) WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance (59) Lead and Copper Rule (350) Lead and Copper Rule (5000) Chemicals (300) Lead and Copper Rule (350)
07/01/2020 - 12/31/2020 Resolved Yes Treatment Technique Violation (TT) WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance (59) Lead and Copper Rule (350) Lead and Copper Rule (5000) Chemicals (300) Lead and Copper Rule (350)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Spartanburg Water - Frequently Asked Questions

WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM?
Spartanburg Water draws water from three man-made Lakes: Lake William C. Bowen, Municipal Reservoir #1, and Lake H. Taylor Blalock. Lake Bowen, formed by the South Pacolet River and its tributaries, flows into Municipal Reservoir #1. The entire watershed for these lakes lies in Spartanburg and Eastern Greenville Counties. The R.B. Simms Water Treatment Facility treats the water from these lakes. The North Pacolet River and its tributaries combine with the Lake Bowen/Reservoir #1 system to form Lake Blalock. The watershed for this lake lies in South Carolina and North Carolina. The Myles W. Whitlock, Jr. Water Treatment Facility treats the water from Lake Blalock.
WHAT’S IN OUR WATER?
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. These substances are called “contaminants.”
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Spartanburg Water System is issuing this notification as required by State Primary Drinking Water Regulation. All Spartanburg Water System customers should feel confident that their water is safe to drink. There are no adverse health effects associated with these pH levels. Spartanburg Water System is taking steps to ensure that pH is maintained within optimal ranges. These steps will include more frequent measurement of pH at additional locations within the water transmission system and enhanced water distribution system monitoring and flushing practices. For additional questions and information, please contact Bryan Bates, Director of Drinking Water Services, at (864) 580-5691 or bbates@spartanburgwater.org.
WHAT IS BEING DONE?
Spartanburg Water System is taking steps to ensure that pH is maintained within optimal ranges. These steps will include more frequent measurement of pH at additional locations within the water transmission system and enhanced water distribution system monitoring and flushing practices. For additional questions and information, please contact Bryan Bates, Director of Drinking Water Services, at (864) 580-5691 or bbates@spartanburgwater.org.
HOW DO I CONTACT SPARTANBURG CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Spartanburg water provider, Spartanburg Water System (4210001), please use the information below.
By Mail: SPARTANBURG WATER SYSTEM
PO BOX 251
SPARTANBURG, SC, 29304
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR SPARTANBURG WATER SYSTEM (4210001)
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Spartanburg Water System (4210001) account to pay their Spartanburg water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Spartanburg Water System (4210001) bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Spartanburg water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Spartanburg water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP SPARTANBURG WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Spartanburg means you will often need to put the water in your name with Spartanburg Water System (4210001). In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Spartanburg means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Spartanburg Water System (4210001). In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.29 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Spartanburg tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 25% Low
  • Water Pollution 25% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 75% High
  • Water Quality 75% High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Spartanburg, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Spartanburg Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Spartanburg's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

Wholesale Water Service Retail Water Service
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2020 WATER QUALITYREPORT

 

 

 

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continues to partner with the EPA and American Water Works Association (AWWA) as a member of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the Partnership for Safe Water. R.B. Simms received the Director’s Award for this program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source Water Assessment

The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 required DHEC to perform a source water assessment for all drinking water supplies in South Carolina. This assessment consists of the following key elements: determining the geographic boundaries for each water supply, preparing a list of potential contamination sources within each area and assessing the potential for pollutants to enter the water supply. DHEC has completed the source water assessment for our water system. Potential contaminants identified in the report include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), petroleum products, metals, nitrates, pesticides/herbicides, and pathogens. Potential sources of these contaminants include gas stations, dry cleaners, agricultural areas, automobile repair shops, septic systems, and facilities where potential contaminants are used or stored.

We test our drinking water for more than 150 substances. Most of the results show that contaminants are not present in our drinking water, but there are some exceptions. The tables on the following pages list all the regulated drinking water contaminants that were detected during the 2020 Calendar year, except if otherwise noted. Most samples were taken at the treatment plant at a point just before the water enters our distribution system, but trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and lead and copper compliance samples were monitored from customer taps throughout the distribution system. State and federal regulations do not require us to examine the water for all contaminants during each calendar year. The information provided in these tables represents the most recent samples taken in accordance with the applicable regulations.

For more information about the state’s source water assessment program or watersheds, visit www.scdhec.gov/environment/your-water-coast/source-water-protection. Please contact Bryan Bates at 864-580-5691 or bbates@spartanburgwater.org for more information about our source water assessment.

Where Does Our Water Come from?

Spartanburg Water draws water from three man-made Lakes: Lake William C. Bowen, Municipal Reservoir #1, and Lake H. Taylor Blalock.

Lake Bowen, formed by the South Pacolet River and its tributaries, flows into Municipal Reservoir #1. The entire watershed for these lakes lies in Spartanburg and Eastern Greenville Counties. The R.B. Simms Water Treatment Facility treats the water from these lakes.

The North Pacolet River and its tributaries combine with the Lake Bowen/Reservoir #1 system to form Lake Blalock. The watershed for this lake lies in South Carolina and North Carolina. The Myles W. Whitlock, Jr. Water Treatment Facility treats the water from Lake Blalock.

What’s in Our Water?

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground,

it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. These substances are called “contaminants.”

IMPORTANT

HEALTH INFORMATION

Certain individuals can be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking

CONTAMINANTS THAT CAN BE PRESENT IN WATER INCLUDE:

  • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife;
  • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming;
  • Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm runoff and residential use;
  • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also

come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems;

  • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). The EPA and DHEC prescribe strict regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants allowed in tap water to ensure that it is safe to drink. The FDA establishes limit regulations for contaminants present in bottled water and also must provide protection for the public health.

water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons, such as persons with cancer and who are undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplant, persons with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk for infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control guidelines on the appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

DISINFECTANTS AND DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS MEASURED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Substance

 

MRDLG

 

MRDL

 

Highest

 

Range of

 

Date of

 

Was MRDL or

 

Typical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCLG

 

MCL

 

Level Found

 

Levels Found

 

Sample

 

MCL Exceeded?

 

Source

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorine

 

4 ppm

 

4 ppm

 

1.66 ppm

 

0.78

– 1.66

 

2020

 

No

 

Added for disinfection

Chlorine Dioxide

 

800 ppb

 

800 ppb

 

ND

 

 

ND

 

2020

 

No

 

Added for disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorite

 

0.8 ppm

 

1 ppm

 

0.67 ppm

 

ND – 0.67

 

2020

 

No

 

By-product of disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Trihalomethanes

 

0

 

80 ppb*

 

LRAA= 56 ppb

 

18

– 86

 

2020

 

No

 

By-product of disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Haloacetic Acids

 

0

 

60 ppb*

 

LRAA= 31 ppb

 

19

– 39

 

2020

 

No

 

By-product of disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Compliance for Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids are based on Locational Running Annual Averages (LRAA), not individual sample values. The calculated LRAA may include data from 2019 not reported on this table while range of levels found represents samples collected during 2020 only.

Contaminant

Total Coliform

COLIFORM BACTERIA MEASURED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

MCLG

TT

Result

Date of Sample

Was TT exceeded?

N/A

TT*

No positive E. coli results

2020

No

 

 

 

 

 

Typical Source

Naturally present in the environment

Units of Measurement

  • ppm (Parts per Million): This is the same as milligrams per liter, or the equivalent of one penny out of ten thousand dollars.
  • ppb (Parts per Billion): This is the same as micrograms per liter, or the equivalent of one penny out of ten million dollars.
  • SU (Standard Units): Unit of measure to indicate how acidic or basic water is on the pH scale.
  • NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): Units of measure to indicate water clarity.

On April 1, 2016 SCDHEC required Public Water Systems to implement the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR).

*Under RTCR a Treatment Technique (TT*) violation is defined as any of the following:

  • E. Coli-positive repeat sample following a total coliform-positive routine sample
  • Total coliform-positive repeat sample following an E. coli routine sample
  • Failure to take all required repeat samples following an E. coli-positive routine sample
  • Failure to test for E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for total coliform

PUBLIC NOTICE

To Our Spartanburg Water Customers:

Under the State Primary Drinking Water Regulation (SPDWR), Section R.61-58.11.I(5)(d), Public Water Systems that have implemented corrosion control programs are required to maintain certain optimal water quality parameters determined by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The Commission of Public Works of the City of Spartanburg, SC, dba “Spartanburg Water System” System ID# 4210001, is required to maintain a minimum pH of 6.5 measured at a number of pre- determined monitoring sites within the distribution system.

During 2020, Spartanburg Water System was required to test for pH at several pre-determined monitoring sites within the distribution system. Two of these sites were tested on 8/28/20 and fell slightly below the required 6.5 standard units to 6.3 and 6.4.

What does this mean?

Spartanburg Water System is issuing this notification as required by State Primary Drinking Water Regulation. All Spartanburg Water System customers should feel confident that their water is safe to drink. There are no adverse health effects associated with these pH levels.

What is being done?

Spartanburg Water System is taking steps to ensure that pH is maintained within optimal ranges. These steps will include more frequent measurement of pH at additional locations within the water transmission system and enhanced water distribution system monitoring and flushing practices.

For additional questions and information, please contact Bryan Bates, Director of Drinking Water Services, at (864) 580-5691 or bbates@spartanburgwater.org.

Lead and Copper

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Spartanburg Water is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you may want to consider having your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at

www.epa.gov/your-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water.

LEAD AND COPPER MEASURED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (REQUIRED EVERY 3 YEARS)

Contaminant

 

Action Level (90%)

 

SWS 2019

(90%)

 

Number over Action Level

 

Typical Source

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

 

1.3 ppm

 

0.163 ppm

 

0

 

Corrosion of household plumbing and erosion of

 

 

 

 

natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead

 

15 ppb

 

ND

 

 

1

 

Corrosion of household plumbing and

 

 

 

 

 

erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The LEAD AND COPPER RULE (LCR) protects public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water, primarily by reducing water corrosivity. Lead and copper enter drinking water mainly from corrosion of lead and copper containing plumbing materials.

Violation Type

Water Quality Parameter (WQP) Level Non-Compliance (LCR)

Violation Begin

07/01/2020

Violation End

12/31/2020

Violation Explanation

Water samples showed that pH levels in certain parts of our water distribution system fell below optimum water quality parameters used to consistently control the natural corrosivity of our drinking water for the period indicated. Optimal water quality parameters are utilized to minimize the potential for lead and copper in our drinking water.

*Spartanburg Water System is taking steps to ensure that pH is maintained within optimal ranges. These steps will include more frequent measurement of pH at additional locations within the water transmission system and enhanced water distribution system monitoring and flushing practices.

REGULATED SUBSTANCES DETECTED IN SWS FINISHED DRINKING WATER/DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

(SAMPLES TAKEN AT THE R.B. SIMMS TREATMENT PLANT, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

Substance

MCLG

MCL

Highest

Range of

Date of

Was MCL

Typical

Level Found

Levels Found

Sample

Exceeded?

Source

 

 

 

Fluoride *

4 ppm

4 ppm

0.78 ppm

NA*

2020

No

Added to prevent tooth decay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TT = 1 NTU

0.14 NTU

0.01 – 0.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbidity

NA

TT = percentage of

100%

NA

2020

No

Soil runoff

 

 

samples equal to or

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

below 0.3 NTU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate

10 ppm

10 ppm

0.11

NA

2020

No

Naturally occurring

and fertilizer runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TT = removal

Removal

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon

NA

ratio of 1 or

Ratio Avg. =

1.00 – 1.44

2020

No

Naturally occurring

 

 

greater

1.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Only fluoride results from samples taken by DHEC are given in the table. Average Fluoride level detected by SWS’s certified laboratory during 2020 was 0.71 ppm for R.B. Simms.

SUBSTANCES MONITORED FOR THE SECONDARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS

(SAMPLES TAKEN AT THE R.B. SIMMS TREATMENT PLANT)

Substance

MCLG

Secondary

Average

Range of

Date of

Was MCL

Typical

MCL

Level Found

Levels Found

Sample

Exceeded?

Source

 

 

Aluminum

No M CLG

50 – 200 ppb

22 ppb

11

– 58

2020

No

Naturally occurring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloride

No M CLG

250 ppm

10 ppm

6 – 13

2020

No

Naturally occurring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

No MCLG

1000 ppb

ND

ND – 5.3

2020

No

Naturally occurring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manganese

No M CLG

50 ppb

ND

ND – 6

2020

No

Naturally occurring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pH

No MCLG

6.5 - 8.5 SU

7.1 SU

6.8

– 7.7

2020

No

Naturally occurring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfate

No MCLG

250 ppm

14 ppm

12

– 16

2020

No

Naturally occurring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Dissolved Solids

No MCLG

500 ppm

37 ppm

12

– 60

2020

No

Naturally occurring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

No MCLG

5000 ppb

58 ppb

9.5 – 100

2020

No

Added for corrosion control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Contaminants

Unregulated contaminants are those that do not have a drinking water standard set by EPA. EPA is required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to identify every fve years a list of potential contaminants, make a rule for water systems to test for them, and then make a decision whether regulations is necessary. As part of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 4 (UCMR4), SCDHEC performed testing on Spartanburg Water System for 10 Cyanotoxins and 20 additional contaminants. SCDHEC began testing in 2019 and completed UCMR4 testing in 2020. Assessment Monitoring detected no Cyanotoxins. Seventeen of the contaminants under review were not detected, but three were detected in 2020 and are reported in the table below. The Total Organic Carbon as measured within the source water has been provided in the below table. The average levels measured as well as the range of the levels found are included in this report. If you have any question about these results or are interested in the full list of contaminants that were monitored, please contact Bryan Bates at 864-580-5691 or bbates@spartanburgwater.org.

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS MONITORING RULE 4 (UCMR4)

Substance

Sample

Average Level

Range of

Date of

Typical

Location

Found

Levels Found

Sample

Source

 

HAA5

Distribution System

19 ppb

14 – 23

2020

By-product of disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAA6Br

Distribution System

4 ppb

3 – 4.6

2020

By-product of disinfection

HAA9

Distribution System

23 ppb

17 – 27

2020

By-product of disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon

Source Water

2 ppm

NA

2020

Naturally Occurring

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNREGULATED INORGANIC SUBSTANCES MONITORED

Substance

 

MCLG

 

Secondary

 

Level

 

Range of

 

Date of

 

Was MCL

 

Typical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCL

 

Found

 

Levels Found

 

Sample

 

Exceeded?

 

Source

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium

 

NA

 

NA

 

8.8 ppm

 

NA

 

2020

 

No

 

Naturally occurring

Nickel

 

NA

 

NA

 

0.068 ppm

 

NA

 

2020

 

No

 

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WATER QUALITY TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS:

  • AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
  • MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
  • MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
  • MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
  • MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal): The level of a disinfectant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.
  • LRAA (Locational Running Annual Average): The average concentration at a particular location for four consecutive quarters.
  • NA (Not Applicable): Does not apply.
  • ND (Not Detected): Not detected or below detection limits.
  • TT (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

OUR MISSION is to provide quality water and wastewater services to our region in a reliable manner.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Please contact the Spartanburg Water Customer Service Department at 864-582-6375 if you have any questions about Spartanburg Water or this report. Learn more about Spartanburg Water by visiting our website at www.spartanburgwater.org.

COMMISSION MEETINGS

The Commissioners of Public Works of the City of Spartanburg, SC, meet regularly throughout the year. The meetings are held at: Spartanburg Water Main Offce, 200 Commerce Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. For more information and a meeting schedule, please contact Trish Heatherington at 864-580-5643.

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON DRINKING WATER

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791

www.epa.gov/your-drinking-water/safe-drinking-water-hotline

National Sanitation Foundation 1-800-673-6275

www.nsf.org/knowledge-library/topic/consumer-resources/drinking-water

SCDHEC

www.scdhec.gov/environment/your-home/drinking-water

ESTE INFORME CONTIENE INFORMACION ACERCA DEL AGUA POTABLE.

Si usted desea recibir una copia de este informe en idioma español, communiqués con Atencion al Cliente at 1-864-582-6375.

SPARTANBURG WATER

P.O. Box 251, Spartanburg, SC 29304

Contaminants


Spartanburg Water System

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 130929
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Surface water
  • Total: 15

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
  • Trichloroacetic acid

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Chlorate
  • Dibromoacetic acid
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Monochloroacetic acid
  • Nitrate
  • Strontium
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

'

You''ve probably heard about how polluted our tap water in the United States is. If you don''t know, then you probably should. And if you are a resident of Spartanburg, South Carolina, then you have the right to know more about your local water sources.

You have probably heard that tap water isn''t safe to drink. You probably know that it can cause headaches and even affect your body weight. And what many people may not know is that many types of contaminants can come from your tap. In fact, if you know where to look, you will be surprised at some of the chemicals found in your local water supply. Most of us don''t have a problem with the chemicals found in tap water, but there are some who have serious issues with them.

You will find that chlorine can come from the water when it comes out of your faucet. It is a chemical that is used in order to disinfect water so that it can be used for drinking, cooking, showering, laundry, etc. But because chlorin

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