Lead pipes in South Carolina
Short answer
In South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services oversees public water systems' drinking water compliance. Under EPA's LCRI, every system must have a service line inventory by November 1, 2027 and notify affected homes. Your utility runs any replacement program.
- Official sources
- Last checked:
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Verified city programs in South Carolina
We haven’t verified a city program in South Carolina yet. Your water utility (named on your bill) is the place to ask. You can also check EDF’s national program map, which EDF describes as incomplete.
State oversight
Drinking water agency: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.
Federal deadlines that apply here
- Baseline inventory and compliance date: November 1, 2027 (LCRI explainer)
- Notices within 30 days, then yearly
- Court challenge pending: AWWA v. EPA, No. 24-1376
Federal lead pipe money for South Carolina
EPA’s current round (fiscal year 2026) gives South Carolina $27,456,000 from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for lead service line replacement; at least $13,453,440 (49%) must go out as grants or forgivable loans. The state must apply for it by September 30, 2027. (EPA allotment tables, EPA memo.)
How it helps: the state lends or grants this money to water utilities for replacement projects. Residents benefit when their utility uses it, often to replace the private side at low or no cost. You can’t apply as a homeowner; ask your utility whether it has applied.
How many lead lines?
EPA projects about 30,786 lead or “galvanized requiring replacement” service lines in South Carolina (11,359 lead and 19,427 galvanized). These are estimates based on the utility inventories states reported. (EPA 7th DWINSA, September 2025 update.)
Last checked . If we couldn’t verify a field from an official source, we left it out.
Frequently asked questions
Who regulates lead pipes in Alabama?
Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Your local water utility runs inventories and replacement.
When must Alabama utilities finish their inventories?
By November 1, 2027 under EPA's LCRI (Federal Register, Oct 30, 2024), subject to the pending AWWA v. EPA case.