Donalds, SC Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Donalds tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for SC — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Donalds Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Donalds Water
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 61% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.47 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Donalds
Throughout Donalds, SC, water comes from one of 2 primary utilities out of 2 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Donalds, South Carolina (population ~3,669), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 8,374 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Donalds — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Donalds: 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
Donalds water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29638 | B | Donalds-due West W&sa (sc0120001) | 5,200 |
All ZIP Codes in Donalds
- 29638 [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 Donalds
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 Donalds
With 61% 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
The median home in Donalds was built in 1971 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Donalds 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 Donalds Homeowners
Across Donalds, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Donalds are relatively low compared to home values. The $400–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the South Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Donalds
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 61% of Donalds stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Donalds, SC