SCDES Private Well Testing Rules in 2026: The DPH/DES Split, VA/FHA Real Estate Rules, and PFAS Compliance

South Carolina's regulatory framework for private wells changed substantially in 2024, and the federal PFAS rule was revised in 2025. For SC well owners, and for buyers and sellers handling real estate transactions involving private wells, a clear picture of the current rules matters. This article walks through the SCDHEC-to-SCDPH/SCDES split, the PFAS compliance timeline, and the VA/FHA well water testing requirements that often surprise homebuyers.

The SCDHEC Split on July 1, 2024

Effective July 1, 2024, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) was divided into two separate agencies. The bill was signed by Governor McMaster and announced on June 24, 2024.

SC Department of Public Health (SCDPH):

• Health Promotion & Services
• Healthcare Quality
• Does NOT handle private well oversight

SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES): Five bureaus:

• Air Quality
• Coastal Management
• Land & Waste
• Water, includes private well program and hydrology functions transferred from the former DNR
• Regional Lab Services

Retail food and milk/dairy lab work moved to the SC Department of Agriculture.

For any private well question that previously went to SCDHEC, the correct current contact is SCDES, Bureau of Water. The SCDES Private Well Hotline is 1-888-761-5989.

Recommended Private Well Testing

SC does not mandate ongoing private well testing (owners are responsible), but SCDES follows EPA/CDC guidance. Recommended schedule:

• Annually: Total coliform + E. coli bacteria; nitrate
• Every 2–3 years: Inorganic panel, lead, copper, arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese, pH, hardness, TDS
• Every 5 years (Coastal Plain wells): Radium, uranium
• As warranted: VOCs, pesticides, PFAS if near industrial sites or military facilities
• Post-event: Any storm-caused flooding, nearby contamination events, or structural changes to the well

The Federal PFAS Rule: Current Status in 2026

The EPA's PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) was finalized on April 10, 2024, with significant revisions in May 2025.

Original April 10, 2024 rule:

• PFOA MCL: 4.0 ppt
• PFOS MCL: 4.0 ppt
• PFHxS MCL: 10 ppt
• PFNA MCL: 10 ppt
• HFPO-DA (GenX) MCL: 10 ppt
• Hazard Index MCL: 1.0 for mixtures
• Initial monitoring: 2027
• Compliance deadline: 2029

May 14, 2025 revision:

• PFOA and PFOS MCLs retained at 4 ppt
• Compliance deadline extended to 2031 (from 2029)
• PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and Hazard Index MCLs proposed for rescission pending re-evaluation
• Initial monitoring still 2027

As of April 2026, the enforceable federal limits are PFOA 4 ppt and PFOS 4 ppt. SC utilities follow EPA's timeline; private well owners are not subject to federal enforcement but should still consider the health-based limits when testing.

VA and FHA Real Estate Transaction Well Testing

If you are buying a home in SC that uses a private well, and you are using a VA or FHA mortgage, the lender requires a well water test before closing. This surprises many buyers because conventional mortgages often don't require it.

VA loan well water testing requirements (VA Lenders Handbook M26-7):

• Well water must meet state or local drinking water standards
• Standard tests: bacteriological (coliform), nitrate/nitrite, lead
• Results must be provided to the appraiser; unsatisfactory results must be addressed before closing

FHA loan well water testing requirements (HUD Handbook 4000.1):

• Similar scope: bacteriological, nitrate, nitrite, lead
• State or local standards govern acceptability
• Water treatment equipment may be required if tests exceed limits

USDA Rural Development loans: Similar well testing requirements apply.

Sellers of SC homes on wells should pre-test their water before listing, especially if using a VA/FHA/USDA target buyer market. Surprise failures on a closing-period test can delay or kill the transaction.

Well Construction and Licensing in SC

Well drilling in SC requires a licensed contractor. Construction standards are governed by state regulation. Permit requirements, setbacks from septic systems (typically 100 feet minimum, more in certain counties), and grouting standards are specified in SCDES rules. For new construction, repair beyond simple pump replacement, or abandonment, a licensed SC well contractor is legally required.

Abandonment

An unused well is not a harmless hole in the ground. Abandoned wells can allow surface contamination to reach aquifers. SC requires proper abandonment by a licensed contractor: notification to SCDES, proper grouting and sealing, and documentation. Do not cap and ignore a replaced well, that creates aquifer contamination liability.

When to Call a Professional

• Real estate transaction requiring VA/FHA/USDA well testing
• Post-storm well disinfection
• Elevated nitrate, coliform, or other contaminants requiring treatment system design
• Abandoning an old well when installing a new one
• Any change in well construction, yield, or water quality you don't understand

Free Well Water Testing

Solomon Home Water Solutions coordinates private well testing and treatment across South Carolina, Charleston, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, and surrounding areas. Free in-home consultation, certified-lab coordination, and system design matched to your specific results. Call (843) 890-0511.