Clinton, SC Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Clinton's tap water quality puts it in SC's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Clinton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Clinton Water
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.64 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Clinton
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Clinton, SC's residential water connections out of 3 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Clinton, South Carolina (population ~14,164), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 59,154 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Clinton — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Clinton: B (83/100)
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
Clinton water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29325 | B | Clinton City of (sc3010002) | 8,938 |
All ZIP Codes in Clinton
- 29325 [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 Clinton
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 Clinton
With 70% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Clinton's median build year of 1974 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Clinton 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 Clinton Homeowners
Across the Clinton housing market, the estimated remediation share sits at an elevated level — the cost-to-value ratio here is high enough that addressing documented water and safety issues becomes a material equity decision rather than routine maintenance, and most homeowners benefit from treating it as a structured financial planning exercise.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Clinton represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,200–$5,600. Home values here are 21% below the South Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Clinton
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 70% pre-rule share in Clinton keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Clinton
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Clinton has accumulated 3 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Clinton has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $167,106 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>$3,500</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 Clinton, SC