Testing Drinking Water

Water testing and treatment are expensive and inconvenient, but necessary to ensure residents have access to a safe and reliable source of water.
Photo credit Hyrma-stock.adobe.com

Why Testing Drinking Water Is Important

Water testing and treatment are expensive and inconvenient, but are necessary to ensure residents have access to a safe and reliable source of water.

• The cost associated with testing and treatment of public water supplies is passed along to consumers through their water bills.
• Individuals relying on private wells do not have this benefit and must seek testing on their own.

Water Testing Regulations in South Carolina

Current South Carolina state regulations require that the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) be notified, via a “Notice of Intent (NOI)”, of any new private drinking wells before installation.

Learn more: SCDES Notice of Intent Procedures

Part of the permitting process includes water quality testing. Residents with established wells can also submit samples for testing to SCDES’s Private Well Program and Environmental Quality Control (EQC) Laboratories.

Public Water Supply Testing Requirements

Testing requirements differ depending on whether your home uses a public water system or has a private well.

Residents with a public water supply cannot send samples to SCDES for testing. SCDES and the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) currently conduct most of the required monitoring for South Carolina’s public water systems.

Public water supplies perform testing on a regular basis as required by Federal and State standards. They are required to produce an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) that contains information about the quality of the water delivered and the risks, if any, from exposure to contaminants detected in the drinking water.

You can access this information through the Tracking Drinking Water Dashboard on the SCDPH website.

Contacts for Public Water Quality Information

If you need more detailed information about your local water supply, contact the following staff at the state level.

• Richard Welch, Jr. P.E., Manager, Drinking Water & Recreational Waters Compliance, (803) 898-3546
• Wendi Smith, Program Manager, Drinking Water Compliance Monitoring Section, (803) 898-2382

If you are not satisfied with the response or have reason to believe there is a problem with the water supply, you may have a water sample tested by a commercial laboratory. Commercial laboratories charge a fee for this service.

A listing of certified commercial laboratories is included at the end of this publication.

For additional information on public water regulations, see SCDES Drinking Water Regulations.

How to Test Private Drinking Water Wells

Private well owners are responsible for monitoring the safety of their own drinking water.

The SCDES Private Well Program and Environmental Quality Control (EQC) Laboratories perform residential well testing for a variety of parameters (fees apply).

Learn more: SCDES Well Water Testing Services

Common Types of Water Tests

Bacteriological analysis is the most requested test, as this is the primary indicator of water safety.

A sample is first tested for the presence of total coliform bacteria, which are common in the environment and generally not harmful.

If coliform bacteria are detected, the sample is then tested for a specific species of coliform bacteria known as Escherichia coli (E. coli), which can cause illness.

How to Collect a Water Sample for Bacteriological Analysis

Follow these steps carefully to collect a valid sample and ensure accurate testing results.

1. Pick up a water sample kit from their local South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Regional Office or Health Department. Locations can be found by clicking the links.
2. Prepare the faucet: Remove any strainers or aerators; clean the outside of the faucet with rubbing alcohol or bleach. Allow the water to run for 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Fill the bottle: Without changing the water flow from the faucet, remove the cap from the sample bottle and fill to about one inch from the top. Don’t touch the inside of the bottle or cap, or let the water splash from your hands into the bottle. Replace the cap.
4. Complete the sample form: You must include your name, mailing address, daytime telephone number, and the date and time the sample was collected.
5. Submit sample promptly: Follow the instructions carefully and return the sample as soon as possible (SCDES accepts samples on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays).

Do not pay for the analysis at drop off; you’ll receive an invoice with your analytical results.

Results:

• Arrive in the mail in about 10-15 days, with an explanation of the results and an invoice.
• Cost: $20 per Coliform Bacteria Test.
• If E. coli is detected, disinfection can clear the problem.

For more information about residential well disinfection, see SCDES Residential Well Disinfection (pdf), SCDES Emergency Well Disinfection (video), and HGIC 1903, Residential Drinking Water Well: Water Treatment Options.

How to Test Water for Chemical Contaminants

If you experience problems such as unusual taste, odor, or staining of laundry or plumbing fixtures, or are considering installing a water treatment system, you might want to have a minerals and metals analysis, which is the other common analysis conducted for residential well water.

Common Parameters Tested

The parameters tested include Chloride, Nitrate/Nitrite, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Lead, Zinc, Alkalinity, and pH.

Instructions for Chemical Sampling

• Use a SCDES/DHEC kit container (available at local SCDES Regional Offices or Health Department).
• Once your sample has been collected, take it to your local DES office and complete Form 1905.
• Results arrive in about six to eight weeks, along with an invoice for $50 and a booklet explaining the results.

Additional information: HGIC 1902, Residential Drinking Water Wells: Water Quality

Additional Resources

• Clemson Online Course: “Be Well Informed” is a comprehensive course on well maintenance and health.
• SCDES Drinking Water Permitting and Monitoring Overview
• EPA Water: Consumer Information
• CDC Drinking Water Resources 

Certified Commercial Laboratories for Total Coliform/E. Coli (as of November 2025)

Laboratory Contact List

Originally published 10/19