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Cayce Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

355.6 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · est.

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 Cayce, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn CayceSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
8.2 yrs
8.5 yrs-4%
Washing Machine
11.5 yrs
12 yrs-4%
Water Heater
14.4 yrs
15 yrs-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Cayce compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Cayce, South Carolina≈ 0–59 mg/L7.8 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
West Columbia, South Carolina≈ 120–179 mg/L232.6 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Columbia, South Carolina≈ 60–120 mg/L206.5 ppt🟡 Moderately Hardreservoir
Oak Grove, South Carolina≈ 0–60 mg/L3.5 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
Saint Andrews, South Carolina≈ 120–179 mg/L6.1 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir

National Benchmark

How Cayce compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Cayce≈ 0–59 mg/L🟢 None
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Cayce's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 355.6 mg/LpH: 8

The City of Cayce Utilities Department supplies water and sewer services to Cayce, South Carolina, a community in Lexington County near Columbia. Their main treatment facility, the City of Cayce Water Treatment Plant, monitors water quality throughout the year, as outlined in their annual report. While specific source details like river or aquifer names aren't readily available, the system provides essential water to local residents. For emergencies during business hours, contact (803) 550-9542.

The water supply is influenced by the Atlantic Coastal Plain geology, characterized by unconsolidated sediments such as sands, clays, and gravels from the Tertiary and Quaternary periods, including formations like the Black Mingo and Congaree. Groundwater from shallow aquifers, such as the Surficial Aquifer System, contributes to the very soft water profile. This softness results from minimal mineral dissolution in silica-rich, low-carbonate sediments. Any surface water sources would likely originate from watersheds like the Congaree River basin, where limited contact with limestone keeps overall mineralization low.

Because the water is soft, you'll find minimal scale buildup, which helps protect appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines from significant calcium deposits. You'll also notice that soap and detergents work more efficiently, requiring less product and leaving fewer residues on dishes or laundry. A water softener isn't necessary and isn't recommended, as over-softening could unnecessarily introduce sodium. Instead, focus maintenance on periodic filter cleaning and checking pipes for potential corrosion due to the water's low mineral buffering capacity. The 2024 City of Cayce Water Treatment Plant Annual Water Quality Report confirms compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Geology & Source: Precambrian-Cambrian calcareous reservoir; gneiss and calcareous metasediments produce moderate hardness

Other South Carolina Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cayce's water safe to drink?
Yes. Cayce's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Cayce?
Cayce's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.
How does Cayce compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Cayce (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Cayce is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

pH

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.