PFAS in the Savannah River and What It Means for Low Country Water
The Savannah River does more than divide Georgia and South Carolina. It helps supply drinking water to homes across Savannah, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and many of the surrounding Low Country communities. And in 2024 and 2025, it’s also become the focus of growing concern, not just about the environment, but about the presence of PFAS, a class of long-lasting chemicals now being found in treated water.
While the river may not be the direct source for every home, it plays a key role in how water gets to local taps. That’s why the question of PFAS contamination isn’t limited to the river itself. It affects families and homeowners across the region.
If you’re concerned about what’s in your water, Culligan of the Low Country & Savannah offers free in-home water testing to help residents understand their local water quality and take action based on real results.
How the Savannah River Connects to Your Tap
In many homes across the Low Country, drinking water comes from Abercorn Creek, which pulls directly from the Savannah River. Municipal water systems treat this water before it reaches your faucet, but the condition of the river still plays a big role in overall water quality.
When PFAS or other industrial contaminants enter the river upstream, they don’t stay there. They move into connected waterways like Abercorn Creek and continue through the water treatment process. Unless the system is equipped to specifically remove PFAS, those substances may still be present in the water you use every day.
What Are PFAS and Why Should You Be Paying Attention?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals used in a wide range of products, from nonstick cookware to stain-resistant fabrics and firefighting foam. They’re durable, which is exactly the problem. Once PFAS enter a water supply, they’re difficult to remove and can remain in the system for years.
These chemicals have been linked to several health issues, including some cancers, hormone disruption, and developmental problems in children. Even at low levels, the risk increases with long-term exposure.
Earlier this year, the City of Savannah filed a lawsuit against several manufacturers after PFAS were found in the local water supply at levels above new EPA guidelines. The water had already been treated by the municipal system. The EPA’s updated health advisory now places the safe limit for PFAS at just 4 parts per trillion. That is a nearly undetectable amount for many treatment plants.
Why PFAS Are a Concern for the Entire Low Country
This is not just a Savannah problem. Because Abercorn Creek and the Savannah River are part of the same watershed, homes across Hilton Head, Bluffton, Pooler, Richmond Hill, and nearby communities are affected by the same water flow and treatment systems.
Even if your home uses well water, the risk isn’t necessarily removed. Groundwater can still carry PFAS, and older plumbing may introduce other contaminants like lead or sediment.
Water quality changes by neighborhood, home age, usage patterns, and season. That’s why a regional issue like PFAS ends up being a very personal one.
What You Can Do
There’s no way to spot PFAS with the naked eye, and you won’t taste or smell it in your glass. The only way to know what’s in your water is to test it.
Culligan of the Low Country & Savannah offers free in-home water testing throughout the region. These tests check for local concerns like chlorine, lead, sediment, and PFAS. The results help you understand exactly what’s in your water and whether filtration is needed.
Some homes may benefit from whole house filtration, especially if water quality issues affect multiple fixtures like showers, laundry, and kitchen taps. Others may only need a reverse osmosis system at a single point of use, such as the kitchen sink, where water is used most often for drinking and cooking. What matters most is that the solution matches your home, your plumbing, and the specific water issues found during testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the relationship between the Savannah River and drinking water in the Low Country?
The Savannah River feeds into Abercorn Creek, which supplies treated water to many homes across Savannah, Bluffton, and Hilton Head. Contaminants that enter the river upstream can reach these homes unless they’re removed by treatment or filtration.
Are there PFAS in my home water?
It’s possible. PFAS have been found in treated water across the region, including systems that pull from Abercorn Creek. They have no taste, color, or smell, so testing is the only way to know for sure.
How do I know if I need a water filtration system?
Start with a test. If PFAS, chlorine, lead, or sediment are present, Culligan’s team can recommend the right filtration solution for your home. Not every system is the same, and your plumbing, usage, and layout all factor into the right setup.
