CITY REPORT SC 25 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Columbia, SC: 25 Health Violations - 80/100

34 ZIP codes · 13 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Columbia: B.

This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.

Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (25 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →

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

34
ZIP Codes
13
Water Systems
12
ZIPs with Violations
B · 80
Avg Safety Score
Zone 3
Radon Risk (Low)

Key Facts for Columbia Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 53 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.

Water Quality in Columbia

We track home safety signals for 34 ZIP codes in Columbia, South Carolina. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 12 ZIP codes and 13 water systems.

12 of 12 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 53 total, including 25 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: B (80/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 18 12
Contaminant 1009 Other 12 12
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 8 3
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 7 5
E. coli Microbiological 5 5

Lead Risk

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L
  • 0 of 12 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 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
  • $69,568,717 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 1,269 claims with payment data
  • 389 claims without reported payment fields
  • $54,822 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: AE (A/V-family)
  • 14 of 19 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone among 34 ZIP records with zone data: 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
29201 82/100 B 2
29204 82/100 B 2
29205 82/100 B 2
29203 81/100 B 5
29206 81/100 B 5
29207 81/100 B 5
29229 80/100 B 4
29223 79/100 B 7
29209 76/100 B 15

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

All ZIP Codes in Columbia

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Columbia, SC?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Columbia has an average score of 80/100 (grade B) across 9 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 53 recorded EPA violations across 12 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 25 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

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. 0 of 12 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. 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 claim records in Columbia ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $54,822 among 1,269 claims with payment data. 389 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 19 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 14 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

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 Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Contaminant 1009, Surface Water Treatment Rule. Across 12 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 12 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Columbia Infrastructure Age

1980
Median Build Year
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

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.

1980
Median Year Built
0%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

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

0.005
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

1,658
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$54,822
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
74%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Columbia contains 1,658 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $54,822. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 74% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

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.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Columbia, SC

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Columbia, SC?
Columbia has an average Home Safety Score of 80/100 (Grade B) under model 4.0.0. The score combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AQI, and is published only when all required domains are observed. 53 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many water violations does Columbia have?
Columbia water systems have a total of 53 EPA violations, including 25 health-based violations. Violations are tracked across 34 ZIP codes.
Does Columbia water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Columbia is 0.005 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Columbia?
Columbia is served by 13 public water systems across 34 ZIP codes, serving approximately 345,750 people.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Columbia, SC: 25 Health Violations - 80/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/sc/columbia/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-sc-columbia,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Columbia, SC: 25 Health Violations - 80/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/sc/columbia/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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