Fountain Inn, SC: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Federal monitoring data for Fountain Inn puts the city in SC's lower safety tier — exceedances show up in multiple utility districts, several systems have met thresholds requiring public notification under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the compliance deficit has persisted across more than one consecutive reporting cycle, with no clear reversal visible in the most recent data available.
How Fountain Inn Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Fountain Inn Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 37% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.25 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Fountain Inn
Across Fountain Inn, SC, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 4 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Fountain Inn, South Carolina (population ~22,400), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 435,211 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Fountain Inn — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fountain Inn: D (53/100)
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
Fountain Inn water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Fountain Inn
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29644 | D | Greenville Water (2310001) | 396,265 |
All ZIP Codes in Fountain Inn
- 29644 [D]
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.
CDC Health Data for Fountain Inn
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
How Old Is Fountain Inn's Housing Stock?
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
A median build year of 1996 in Fountain Inn is characteristic of a mixed-era city where plumbing risk depends heavily on the specific property. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper joints; those from before 1970 face the added possibility of lead service lines. The percentages above capture how much of the residential stock falls into each risk era.
Most homes in Fountain Inn 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.
Fountain Inn: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The cost-to-value ratio in Fountain Inn is in the moderate range — neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Fountain Inn. The estimated $2,400–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 14% above the South Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Fountain Inn
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 37% of Fountain Inn homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Fountain Inn
5 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Fountain Inn, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Fountain Inn has a moderate flood history with 5 FEMA claims averaging $32,768 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>$3,600</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.
What You Can Do in Fountain Inn
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 37% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Fountain Inn, SC