Saint Simons Island, GA Water Safety: 80/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Saint Simons Island by GA authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Saint Simons Island Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Saint Simons Island Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0023 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 43% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.57 — above typical levels.
Saint Simons Island's Water Providers
Throughout Saint Simons Island, GA, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 6 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Saint Simons Island, Georgia (population ~17,603), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 34,527 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Simons Island — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Simons Island: B (80/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Saint Simons Island water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0023 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31522 | B | St. Simons Island | 29,249 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Simons Island
- 31522 [B]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Saint Simons Island Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Saint Simons Island Infrastructure Age
With 43% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
A median build year of 1981 in Saint Simons Island is characteristic of a mixed-era city where plumbing risk depends heavily on the specific property. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper joints; those from before 1970 face the added possibility of lead service lines. The percentages above capture how much of the residential stock falls into each risk era.
Most homes in Saint Simons Island were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Saint Simons Island
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Saint Simons Island is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Saint Simons Island are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 126% above the Georgia average.
Saint Simons Island: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
43% — that captures the slice of Saint Simons Island housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Saint Simons Island: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood claims in Saint Simons Island number 779 under the NFIP, and 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA-designated zones — together reflecting a community where flooding is a recurring, significant feature of the local risk environment with direct implications for periodic water supply safety.
Saint Simons Island has a significant flood history with 779 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $20,883 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,800</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Saint Simons Island, GA