North Myrtle Beach Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

6.8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

373.4 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · 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 North Myrtle Beach, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In North Myrtle Beach	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How North Myrtle Beach compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina	≈ 120–179 mg/L	231.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina	≈ 120–179 mg/L	53.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Red Hill, South Carolina	≈ 0–60 mg/L	3.5 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Socastee, South Carolina	≈ 0–60 mg/L	5.9 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Conway, South Carolina	≈ 120–179 mg/L	365.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How North Myrtle Beach compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ North Myrtle Beach	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes North Myrtle Beach's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 373.4 mg/LpH: 6.8

The City of North Myrtle Beach provides a blended water supply, working closely with the Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority (GSW&SA). This supply comes from three main facilities: the GSW&SA's Myrtle Beach Surface Water Treatment Facility, the Bull Creek Regional Treatment Facility, and a local groundwater well. This strategy enhances supply reliability throughout Horry County and nearby areas. The water originates from the Atlantic Coastal Plain watershed, drawing from the lower Pee Dee River basin and related surface waters.

Geologically, the area rests on Quaternary and Pliocene sands, clays, and shells. These lie atop Miocene limestone and marl formations. The presence of these carbonate-rich layers means dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium carbonates, are picked up by both groundwater and surface water. This geological makeup gives the finished water a moderately hard character.

With its moderately hard classification, North Myrtle Beach water can lead to visible soap scum and scale in homes. Appliances like dishwashers, water heaters, and coffee makers are particularly prone to mineral buildup, so regular descaling is advised. While not strictly necessary for health, many homeowners opt for water softeners to reduce spots on dishes, prolong appliance life, and make soap more effective. Flushing water heaters periodically and checking faucet aerators can help reduce scale.

Geology & Source: Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system; unconsolidated sands, clays, and shell deposits over Miocene limestone and marl produce moderate hardness

Other South Carolina Water Reports

Myrtle Beach

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Red Hill

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Socastee

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Conway

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Myrtle Beach's water safe to drink?

Yes. North Myrtle Beach's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in North Myrtle Beach?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), North Myrtle Beach's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does North Myrtle Beach compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. North Myrtle Beach (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 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 North Myrtle Beach 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

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.