Columbia, SC: 68 Health Violations - 88/100 (2026)
34 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Columbia: A.
No federal data flags a major home-safety concern for this ZIP.
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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
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.
Water Quality in Columbia
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 - 170 total, including 68 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: A (88/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 68 | 34 |
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 34 | 34 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 34 | 34 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 34 | 34 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L
- 53% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 10% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1980
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 51/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 16%
- 8 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 53% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Columbia residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
154,052 total housing units across 34 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 7,371 | 5% |
| 1940–1949 | 6,879 | 4% |
| 1950–1959 | 14,139 | 9% |
| 1960–1969 | 18,138 | 12% |
| 1970–1979 | 26,197 | 17% |
| 1980–1989 | 20,847 | 14% |
| 1990–1999 | 21,508 | 14% |
| 2000–2009 | 26,305 | 17% |
| 2010–2019 | 12,205 | 8% |
| 2020+ | 463 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Columbia:
- 1,658 flood insurance claims on record
- $68,756,170 total paid out
- $41,469 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
- 14 of 34 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 34 ZIP codes
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29208 | 93/100 | A | 5 |
| 29211 | 93/100 | A | 5 |
| 29216 | 93/100 | A | 5 |
| 29217 | 93/100 | A | 5 |
| 29218 | 93/100 | A | 5 |
| 29219 | 93/100 | A | 5 |
| 29220 | 93/100 | A | 5 |
| 29224 | 93/100 | A | 5 |
| 29225 | 93/100 | A | 5 |
| 29226 | 93/100 | A | 5 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29210 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 29206 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 29205 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 29223 | 80/100 | B | 5 |
| 29212 | 80/100 | B | 5 |
| 29209 | 80/100 | B | 5 |
| 29204 | 80/100 | B | 5 |
| 29203 | 80/100 | B | 5 |
| 29229 | 85/100 | A | 5 |
| 29201 | 85/100 | A | 5 |
What Columbia Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Columbia has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
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 ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Columbia, SC?
Columbia has an average Home Safety Score of 88/100 (grade A) across 34 ZIP codes. There are 170 recorded EPA violations, 68 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Columbia have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Columbia is 0.0050 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 53% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Columbia at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 1,658 flood insurance claims in Columbia ZIP codes, with an average payout of $41,469. 14 of 34 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Columbia homes?
53% of Columbia housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 10% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 16%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Columbia water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Surface Water Treatment Rule, Contaminant 1009, Stage 1 DBP Rule. Across 34 ZIP codes, 34 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Columbia Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Banned from residential plumbing in 1986, lead solder was a near-universal feature of copper plumbing before that cutoff. In Columbia, where the median build year is 1980, the majority of housing falls into the post-ban category - though the older fraction of the stock still carries the residual risk that comes with pre-1986 pipe and solder materials.
Most homes in Columbia were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
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
Flood history in Columbia spans 1658 NFIP claims and 0% flood zone coverage - enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Columbia has a moderate flood history with 1,658 FEMA claims. 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.
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