South Charleston, OH: High Radon Risk — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
How does South Charleston tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for OH — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How South Charleston Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
What You Should Know About South Charleston Water
- Average lead level: 0.0013 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.69 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in South Charleston
South Charleston, OH is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 3 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South Charleston, Ohio (population ~3,860), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 6,167 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in South Charleston — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South Charleston: B (70/100)
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
South Charleston water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0013 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45368 | B | Cedarville University | 4,000 |
All ZIP Codes in South Charleston
- 45368 [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.
Health Outcomes in South Charleston
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
Housing & Infrastructure in South Charleston
With 73% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. South Charleston's median build year of 1978 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in South Charleston were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for South Charleston Homeowners
The equity impact of remediation in South Charleston sits at a moderate level — real enough to plan for, within reach for most.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in South Charleston. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 15% below the Ohio average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in South Charleston
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.
Older stock in South Charleston represents 73% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in South Charleston
Within the NFIP's national dataset, South Charleston falls in moderate-exposure territory — 1 documented incident spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
South Charleston has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $4,818 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$2,400</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 South Charleston, OH