Beaufort Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
209.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Beaufort, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Beaufort | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -27% |
| Washing Machine | 9.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -18% |
| Water Heater | 11.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Beaufort compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Beaufort, South Carolina | 102 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Hilton Head, South Carolina | 148.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hilton Head Island, South Carolina | 148.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Bluffton, South Carolina | 58.5 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Wilmington Island, Georgia | 86.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Beaufort compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Beaufort | 102 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Beaufort's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Beaufort, South Carolina, in Beaufort County — the Beaufort County seat adjacent to Hilton Head Island and Bluffton on the southern South Carolina coast — receives its water from the Beaufort-Jasper Water Authority, drawing from the Beaufort River watershed or Floridan Aquifer (Beaufort County) through the southern South Carolina distribution.
The moderately hard 102 mg/L hardness and TDS of 209.6 mg/L reflect the southern South Carolina Beaufort County Coastal Plain supply's moderate calcareous character — reflecting the Eocene Barnwell and Oligocene Ashley Limestone formation contacts in the south Carolina Coastal Plain aquifer, somewhat harder than the upper Coastal Plain Orangeburg communities (Orangeburg: 74 mg/L) due to the deeper limestone contacts in the lower Coastal Plain. The Beaufort County supply — Eocene Barnwell Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Oligocene Ashley Limestone (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Coastal Plain sands (insoluble — dilutant).
At 102 mg/L, Beaufort's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot (Beaufort County — AFFF) is a key contributor to Beaufort's PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Beaufort in Beaufort County draws from the Beaufort-Jasper Water Authority on the Floridan Aquifer (Beaufort County, southern South Carolina coast) — the Coastal Plain aquifer at Beaufort County is developed in Eocene Barnwell Formation (slightly calcareous) and Oligocene Ashley Limestone (slightly calcareous) — South Carolina Beaufort County Coastal Plain Eocene-Oligocene calcareous supply produces moderately hard water at 102 mg/L with TDS 209.6 mg/L.