Gadsden, SC Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Gadsden hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in SC with few health-based violations on file.
How Gadsden Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Gadsden Water
- Homes built before 1986: 40% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.16 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Gadsden
Gadsden, SC draws its water from one primary utility across 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gadsden, South Carolina, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,057 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Gadsden — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gadsden: B (73/100)
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
Gadsden water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Gadsden
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29052 | B | EASTOVER TOWN OF (SC4010002) | 700 |
All ZIP Codes in Gadsden
- 29052 [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 Gadsden
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 Gadsden
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
Some cities skew heavily toward one construction era; Gadsden does not. The median build year of 1999 reflects a housing stock where older and newer homes share the market in meaningful proportions. That mixed profile means the city carries moderate aggregate plumbing-era risk — with older homes, particularly those built before 1986, representing the portion of the stock where lead-soldered joints may still be present.
Most homes in Gadsden 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Gadsden Homeowners
Within the Gadsden market, documented remediation claims a significant slice of typical equity — the financial weight here is material.
At 3.3% of home value, remediation costs in Gadsden represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,800–$4,000. Home values here are 63% below the South Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Gadsden
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Gadsden — 40% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Gadsden
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Gadsden accumulating 6 claims and carrying 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Gadsden has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $51,879 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>$2,500</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 Gadsden, SC