Aiken, SC: 48 Health Violations — 67/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring across Aiken paints a mid-range picture within SC — solid compliance in some service zones, documented concerns in others. Most violations on record are concentrated in specific areas, and the overall grade has held in the middle tier without major shifts in recent monitoring cycles.
How Aiken Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Aiken, SC
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Aiken's 6 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Aiken Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 60 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0008 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.54 — above typical levels.
Aiken's Water Providers
Water service in Aiken, SC is split across 3 utilities out of 12 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Aiken, South Carolina, covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 75,039 people.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 48 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Aiken: C (67/100)
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
Aiken water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0008 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 6 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 49 | 6 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 6 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29801 | B | 10 | 8 | Aiken City of (0210001) |
| 29802 | C | 10 | 8 | Aiken City of (0210001) |
| 29803 | B | 10 | 8 | Aiken City of (0210001) |
| 29804 | C | 10 | 8 | Aiken City of (0210001) |
| 29805 | C | 10 | 8 | Aiken City of (0210001) |
| 29808 | C | 10 | 8 | Aiken City of (0210001) |
All ZIP Codes in Aiken
- 29801 [B] — 10 violations ⚠
- 29802 [C] — 10 violations ⚠
- 29803 [B] — 10 violations ⚠
- 29804 [C] — 10 violations ⚠
- 29805 [C] — 10 violations ⚠
- 29808 [C] — 10 violations ⚠
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.
Aiken 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
What's in Aiken's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Aiken
How much of a Aiken home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Aiken are relatively low compared to home values. The $567–$2,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 1% above the South Carolina average.
Aiken: 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.
Lead risk in Aiken appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Aiken: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Taken together, Aiken's 11 NFIP flood insurance claims and 33% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Aiken has a moderate flood history with 11 FEMA claims averaging $1,796 per payout. 33% 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>$1,000</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.
What You Can Do in Aiken
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Chlorine residual can reduce the most common contaminant found in Aiken's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Aiken, SC