2023 Chesterfield County Rural Water Consumer Confidence Report
2023 Town of Pageland Consumer Confidence Report
Ensuring the safety and quality of municipal water is crucial for any community. In Pageland, South Carolina, the town's water system, identified as SC1310003, has consistently provided annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to inform residents about water quality and safety measures.
Where Pageland Gets Its Water
Pageland, located in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, has historically sourced its municipal water from various local surface water bodies. In the past, the town relied on reservoirs such as Lake Terry and Old Town Pond, situated just south of Pageland, to meet its water demands. These surface water sources were integral in supplying the community's needs.
In more recent years, Pageland has transitioned to obtaining its municipal water from the Chesterfield County Rural Water Company (CCRWC). This shift was influenced by factors such as the sustainability of local water sources and the need to meet growing demand. The CCRWC sources its water primarily from groundwater wells operated by the Alligator Water & Sewer Company, located in various areas including Union Church Road and US Highway 1. This transition to groundwater sources has been pivotal in ensuring a consistent and reliable water supply for Pageland's residents.
Pageland's Water Treatment Plant
Permanently closed. The specific reasons for the closure of Pageland's water treatment plant are not detailed in the available public records. However, it's common for municipalities to transition from operating their own treatment facilities to purchasing treated water from larger regional providers due to factors such as:
Economic Considerations: Operating a local treatment plant can be cost-prohibitive, especially for smaller communities. Consolidating services with regional providers often results in cost savings through economies of scale.
Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to evolving state and federal water quality regulations can be challenging. Regional providers typically have more resources to ensure compliance with stringent standards.
Infrastructure Challenges: Aging infrastructure may require significant investments for upgrades and maintenance. Partnering with regional facilities can alleviate the financial and logistical burdens associated with such improvements.
This shift aligns with broader trends where smaller municipalities integrate into regional water systems to enhance service reliability and water quality for residents.
Past and Present Water Quality Testing
Municipal water testing in Pageland, South Carolina, has evolved significantly over the years to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water for its residents. Historically, water quality monitoring was less comprehensive, focusing primarily on basic parameters to meet minimal safety standards. As public health awareness and regulatory requirements have advanced, so too have the testing protocols employed by the town. The Town of Pageland now conducts regular water quality assessments, adhering to guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). These assessments are detailed in the annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), which provide residents with information about the source of their water, detected contaminants, and compliance with drinking water regulations. For instance, the 2022 CCR indicates that Pageland's water system met all state and federal regulations for drinking water quality.
Current Water Quality Initiatives
As of January 27, 2025, TerraLink, has begun conducting comprehensive water testing in Pageland. This initiative is part of TerraLink’s mission to gather accurate data on water quality and support sustainable environmental practices.
The organization’s work includes detailed testing for various parameters such as chemical contaminants, heavy metals, pH levels, and biological markers that may indicate contamination. Terralink aims to provide residents with the most up-to-date, science-based information about the water supply and to recommend solutions if any issues are found.
Commitment to Transparency and Safety
The Town of Pageland remains dedicated to maintaining high water quality standards. Regular testing, transparent reporting, and proactive measures are central to this commitment. Residents are encouraged to review the annual CCRs and stay informed about the latest water quality data.
TerraLinks 23-parameter water test provides a far more comprehensive analysis of water quality compared to the standard 7-parameter test included in Pageland’s 2023 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). While the CCR typically focuses on primary contaminants such as sodium, chlorine, lead, copper, nitrates and disinfection by-products, these parameters alone do not capture the full picture of water safety and composition. A 23-parameter test includes additional factors such as total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), heavy metals like mercury and manganese, as well as sulfate and pH levels. These extra data points are crucial for detecting contaminants that might not be regulated under the standard CCR testing but could still pose long-term health risks or affect water usability.
By expanding the testing parameters, municipalities and consumers can gain deeper insights into potential contamination sources, trends over time, and the overall effectiveness of water treatment processes. For instance, testing for UV absorbance at 275 nm (UV275) can help identify the presence of organic pollutants, while measuring total chlorine and alkalinity gives a clearer understanding of water stability and potential corrosivity. Heavy metals like iron and zinc, which might not always be at harmful levels but can still impact plumbing infrastructure and water taste, are often overlooked in minimal testing. A more extensive water test not only ensures that water meets regulatory safety standards but also empowers residents with a better understanding of their drinking water quality, allowing for proactive measures to maintain both public health and infrastructure longevity.
Sample ID | Temp. (C) | COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) (mg/L) | TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) (ppm) | UV275 (Ultraviolet Absorption Value) (au/cm) | EC (Electrical Conductivity) (µS/cm) | TOC (Total Organic Carbon) (mg/L) | Ph | Hardness (ppm) | Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) (ppm) | Iron (Fe) (ppm) | Copper (Cu) (ppm) | Lead (Pb) (ppb) | Manganese (Mn) (ppm) | Total Chlorine (Cl) (ppm) | Mercury (Hg) (ppm) | Nitrate (NO₃⁻) (ppm) | Nitrite (NO₂⁻) (ppm) | Sulfate (SO₄²⁻) (ppm) | Zinc (Zn) (ppm) | Flouride ( F⁻) (ppm) | Sodium Chloride (NaCl) (ppm) | Total Alkalinity (ppm) | Date/Time of Collection | Water Quality Grade |
Acceptable | 10.0 - 25.0 | <10 | <500 | <0.1 | <250 | <2 | 6.5-8.5 | <60 | 0 | <0.3 | <1.3 | <15 | <0.05 | <4 | <.002 | <44.3 | <1 | <500 | <5 | 0.7-1.5 | <250 | 20-200 |
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Sample 1 | 19 | 0.4 | 28 | 0.008 | 60 | 0.77 | 6.5 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | <1 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 300 | 5 | <1 | 0 | 20 | 1/27/2025 | 96 |
Sample 2 | 21.1 | 0.4 | 29 | 0.005 | 57 | 0.5 | 6.5 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | <1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 200 | 10 | <1 | 0 | 10 | 2/2/2025 | 95 |
Sample 3 | 20.2 | 0.39 | 31 | 0.005 | 61 | 0.52 | 6.5 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | <1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 300 | 7 | <1 | 0 | 10 | 2/2/2025 | 96 |
Sample 4 | 19.8 | 0.48 | 30 | 0.006 | 60 | 0.64 | 6.5 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | <1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 200 | 8 | <1 | 0 | 10 | 2/2/2025 | 95 |
Sample 5 | 20.5 | 0.45 | 30 | 0.006 | 60 | 0.61 | 6.5 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | <1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 200 | 7 | <1 | 0 | 15 | 2/2/2025 | 96 |
Sample 6 | 20.4 | 0.38 | 30 | 0.005 | 60 | 0.51 | 6.5 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | <1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 200 | 8 | <1 | 0 | 10 | 2/2/2025 | 95 |
Sample 7 | 19.9 | 0.46 | 31 | 0.006 | 61 | 0.46 | 6.5 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | <1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 300 | 10 | <1 | 0 | 15 | 2/2/2025 | 95 |
Sample 8 | 22.6 | 0.8 | 33 | 0.011 | 66 | 1.06 | 6.5 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | <1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 200 | 10 | <1 | 0 | 10 | 2/9/2025 | 93 |
For those with concerns about specific contaminants, such as lead or nitrates, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides resources and guidance on testing methods and exposure minimization.
What’s Next
As new data from TerraLink’s testing becomes available, this article will be updated to reflect the latest findings. This will ensure the community remains informed and confident in the quality of their municipal water supply. Residents are encouraged to participate in ongoing surveys and provide feedback to help address any water-related concerns effectively.
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