Socastee Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
228 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.29
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 Socastee, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Socastee | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -29% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 11.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Socastee compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Socastee, South Carolina | 108 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | 117.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Red Hill, South Carolina | 64.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Conway, South Carolina | 104 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | 145.5 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Socastee compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Socastee | 108 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Socastee's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Socastee, South Carolina, in Horry County — an unincorporated Horry County community in the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, adjacent to Conway and the Intracoastal Waterway in the Grand Strand resort corridor — receives its municipal water from the Horry County Water and Sewer Authority, which draws from Lake Busbee impoundment or the Waccamaw River in the Waccamaw-Pee Dee watershed of the Grand Strand coastal corridor.
The moderately hard 108 mg/L hardness and TDS of 228 mg/L reflect the Waccamaw River watershed's South Carolina Coastal Plain geological character. The Waccamaw River drains the South Carolina Coastal Plain — terrain underlain by the Cretaceous Black Creek Formation (calcareous marl and sand), the Peedee Formation (calcareous marine sand), and the Pleistocene Waccamaw Formation (freshwater and marine shell-bearing sand). The calcareous Cretaceous marl and shell-rich Pleistocene coastal deposits contribute moderate calcium and bicarbonate, producing the moderately hard water characteristic of the Grand Strand and Pee Dee Coastal Plain water supplies.
At 108 mg/L, Socastee'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 5.9 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base (former — now Myrtle Beach International Airport, a significant AFFF legacy site in the Waccamaw watershed), the Conway military-industrial corridor, and the Horry County resort-industrial PFAS background contribute to Socastee's readings.
Geology & Source: Socastee in Horry County draws from the Horry County Water Authority treating Lake Busbee or the Waccamaw River (Waccamaw-Pee Dee watershed) — the Waccamaw drains the South Carolina Coastal Plain (Cretaceous calcareous marl and Pleistocene terrace sand) — Coastal Plain calcareous Cretaceous marl drainage produces moderately hard water at 108 mg/L with TDS 228 mg/L in this Horry County South Carolina community.