Cayce Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~0–59 mg/L
Softestimated · 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
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.
| Appliance | In Cayce | Soft Water City | Efficiency 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
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cayce, South Carolina | ≈ 0–59 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| West Columbia, South Carolina | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 232.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Columbia, South Carolina | ≈ 60–120 mg/L | 206.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Oak Grove, South Carolina | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Saint Andrews, South Carolina | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Cayce compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cayce | ≈ 0–59 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cayce's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
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?
Do I need a water softener in Cayce?
How does Cayce compare to the USA average?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.