Water Quality Testing

Water quality sampling Taste and odor Annual Water Quality Reports >Click here for 2007 report! Water Quality Sampling To ensure Charleston Water System's drinking water meets all state and federal standards, our laboratory staff run a variety of tests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each month, more than 180 samples are collected from the distribution system to ensure water quality is maintained as it travels through the water mains to our customers. In all, we perform more than 4,000 water analyses a month for toxicity, bacteria, pesticides and herbicides, metals, volatile organics, radionuclides, and routine water quality variables. In addition, Charleston Water System engineers use a complex hydraulic computer model to study the flow in water mains and to help maintain the necessary level of chloramine residuals in the distribution system. Our lab chemists also test Charleston Water System's raw water sources to detect changes that may affect the treatment process. Additional sampling is conducted by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control to ensure Charleston Water System meets all EPA regulations related to drinking water quality. Request a water quality test If you have a water quality concern or wish to request a water quality sample be taken from your home, please contact Charleston Water System Customer Service at (843) 727-6800. Lead testing Lead testing is available free of charge. Just pick up a testing kit at our downtown or North Area office locations. Click here to learn more about lead and drinking water.		Related links Water quality variables Drinking water regulations Water treatment process
Taste & Odor
It is a common misconception that clean, safe drinking water has no taste or smell. In fact, the taste of water is influenced by the source (e.g. groundwater, river water, reservoir water, lake water, etc.), treatment process, and temperature. Sometimes, harmless, naturally occurring compounds in the water can give it an undesirable taste or smell.Charleston Water System can add certain compounds to the water during the treatment process to remove offensive odors.
Water Quality Reports
Charleston Water System's water meets, and in some cases exceeds all drinking water quality standards set forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control. Every year, Charleston Water System and all other water utilities are required by law to compile a water quality report, also called a Consumer Confidence Report, and make it available to all customers. Charleston Water System's water quality report is mailed with all bills in May of each year. Click a link to the right to download a report.		Annual Water Quality Reports New! 2007 Water Quality Report 2006 Water Quality Report 2005 Water Quality Report 2004 Water Quality Report 2003 Water Quality Report 2002 Water Quality Report 2001 Water Quality Report 2000 Water Quality Report 1999 Water Quality Report 1998 Water Quality Report 1997 Water Quality Report The reports above are in Adobe PDF format. To request a hard copy, click here or call (843) 727-6800.

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