Port Royal Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
348.3 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 Port Royal, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Port Royal | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -41% |
| Washing Machine | 8.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -29% |
| Water Heater | 10 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Port Royal compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Port Royal, South Carolina | 139 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| 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 |
National Benchmark
How Port Royal compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Port Royal | 139 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Port Royal's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Port Royal, South Carolina, in Beaufort County — a Beaufort County town adjacent to Beaufort and Parris Island on the Port Royal Sound in south coastal South Carolina — receives its water from the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA), drawing from the Savannah River through an intake shared with Jasper County through the south coastal South Carolina distribution.
The hard 139 mg/L hardness and TDS of 348.3 mg/L are somewhat elevated for a Coastal Plain river supply — the Savannah River's passage through Piedmont calcareous formations and the Cretaceous Middendorf and Eocene Barnwell Formations of the South Carolina Coastal Plain contribute dissolved minerals (compare Beaufort SC: 138/345 in Beaufort County comparable; Hilton Head SC: 140/350 in Beaufort County comparable; Port Royal consistent hard from the same Beaufort County Savannah-Cretaceous Coastal Plain supply). The Savannah watershed at Beaufort County — Cretaceous Middendorf Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Eocene Barnwell Formation (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Holocene coastal alluvium (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 139 mg/L with TDS 348, Port Royal's water is hard — scale builds in appliances and fixtures over months. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.7 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter is recommended — the proximity to Parris Island Marine Corps Base and the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort are potential PFAS contributors in this area.
Geology & Source: Port Royal in Beaufort County draws from the Beaufort-Jasper WAHD on the Savannah River (Beaufort County, south coastal South Carolina) — the Savannah watershed at Beaufort County drains Cretaceous Middendorf Formation (slightly calcareous) and Eocene Barnwell Formation (slightly calcareous) — South Carolina Beaufort County Savannah River Cretaceous-Eocene supply produces hard water at 139 mg/L with TDS 348.3 mg/L.