Beech Island, SC Water Safety: 95/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Beech Island records above-average water quality outcomes for SC; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
How Beech Island Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Beech Island Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0046 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.54 — above typical levels.
Beech Island's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Beech Island, SC are served by 3 primary water providers out of 8 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Beech Island, South Carolina (population ~7,727), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 70,823 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Beech Island — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Beech Island: A (95/100)
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
Beech Island water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0046 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29842 | A | Beech Island W/d (sc0220004) | 8,935 |
All ZIP Codes in Beech Island
- 29842 [A]
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.
Beech 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
Beech Island Infrastructure Age
With 59% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Beech Island is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1988 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Beech Island 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Beech Island
At current valuations, Beech Island falls in the moderate remediation-share tier — a level where treating this as a budgeted line item rather than an ad-hoc expense is the practical approach.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Beech Island. The estimated $1,200–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 45% below the South Carolina average.
Beech 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.
59% of Beech Island housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Beech Island: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
FEMA data shows 100% of Beech Island's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 1 claim. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Beech Island has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $13,985 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>$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 Beech Island, SC