Columbia, SC: 68 Health Violations — 88/100 (2026)
34 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Columbia hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in SC with few health-based violations on file.
How Columbia Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Columbia, SC
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Columbia's 34 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Columbia Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 170 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,421 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.32 — above typical levels.
Columbia's Water Providers
Residential water in Columbia, SC is supplied by 3 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 9 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 34 ZIP codes in Columbia, South Carolina, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 345,750 people.
34 of 34 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 68 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Columbia: A (88/100)
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
Columbia water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 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): 34 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 70 | 34 |
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 35 | 34 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 35 | 34 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 35 | 34 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29201 | A | 5 | 2 | Columbia City of (sc4010001) |
| 29202 | A | 5 | 2 | Columbia City of (sc4010001) |
| 29203 | B | 5 | 2 | Columbia City of (sc4010001) |
| 29204 | B | 5 | 2 | Columbia City of (sc4010001) |
| 29205 | B | 5 | 2 | Columbia City of (sc4010001) |
| 29206 | B | 5 | 2 | Columbia City of (sc4010001) |
| 29207 | A | 5 | 2 | Columbia City of (sc4010001) |
| 29208 | A | 5 | 2 | Columbia City of (sc4010001) |
| 29209 | B | 5 | 2 | Columbia City of (sc4010001) |
| 29210 | B | 5 | 2 | Columbia City of (sc4010001) |
All ZIP Codes in Columbia
- 29201 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29202 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29203 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29204 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29205 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29206 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29207 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29208 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29209 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29210 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29211 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29212 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29214 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29215 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29216 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29217 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29218 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29219 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29220 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29221 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29222 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29223 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29224 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29225 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29226 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29227 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29228 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29229 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29230 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29240 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29250 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29260 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29290 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29292 [A] — 5 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.
Columbia 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 Columbia's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Columbia
In Columbia, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Columbia are relatively low compared to home values. The $909–$2,224 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 10% below the South Carolina average.
Columbia: 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 Columbia 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.
Columbia: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Columbia's NFIP record reflects high flood exposure — 1658 claims spanning a long history of significant events, with 56% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones. High flood frequency increases the probability of water quality disruptions at each point in the supply chain: treatment facilities, transmission infrastructure, and private wells all face elevated stress risk when flooding is a recurring feature rather than a rare exception.
Columbia has a significant flood history with 1,658 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $24,188 per claim. With 56% 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>$1,421</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 Columbia, SC