Cayce Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
355.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.37
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 Cayce, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cayce | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -41% |
| Washing Machine | 8.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -30% |
| Water Heater | 10 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cayce compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cayce, South Carolina | 140.5 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| West Columbia, South Carolina | 75 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Columbia, South Carolina | 98.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Saint Andrews, South Carolina | 110 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Seven Oaks, South Carolina | 74.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Cayce compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cayce | 140.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cayce's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cayce, South Carolina, in Lexington County — a Lexington County city adjacent to West Columbia and Columbia on the Congaree River in central South Carolina — receives its water from the Cayce-West Columbia Water System, drawing from the Saluda River or Lake Murray (Lexington County) through the central South Carolina distribution.
The moderately hard 140.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 355.6 mg/L reflect the central South Carolina Lexington County Saluda-Congaree supply's moderate calcareous character — consistent with the Columbia metro's Lake Murray supply communities (Five Forks SC: 147 mg/L) reflecting the Piedmont calcareous metasediment geology. The Saluda River at Lexington County — Precambrian Carolina Terrane gneiss (insoluble — dilutant in upper watershed), Cambrian calcareous metasediments (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Piedmont alluvium (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 140.5 mg/L, Cayce'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 7.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Lexington County central South Carolina industrial corridor and Shaw Air Force Base (Sumter County — AFFF, regional) contribute to Cayce's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Cayce in Lexington County draws from the Cayce-West Columbia Water System on Lake Murray (Lexington County, central South Carolina) — Lake Murray drains the South Carolina Piedmont (Precambrian Carolina Terrane gneiss — insoluble) and Cambrian calcareous metasediments — South Carolina Lexington County Lake Murray Piedmont Precambrian-Cambrian calcareous reservoir produces moderately hard water at 140.5 mg/L with TDS 355.6 mg/L.