Isle Of Palms, SC Water Safety: 75/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Isle Of Palms, SC: reliable drinking water, above-average safety record, few violations.
How Isle Of Palms Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Facts for Isle Of Palms Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 51% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.36.
Isle Of Palms's Water Providers
2 independent water providers serve Isle Of Palms, SC — 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Isle Of Palms, South Carolina (population ~4,382), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 101,030 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Isle Of Palms — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Isle Of Palms: B (75/100)
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
Isle Of Palms water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0005 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29451 | B | Isle of Palms W/s Commission (sc1010004) | 9,530 |
All ZIP Codes in Isle Of Palms
- 29451 [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.
Isle Of Palms Community Health Snapshot
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
Isle Of Palms Infrastructure Age
With 51% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Isle Of Palms's median build year of 1984 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Isle Of Palms 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Isle Of Palms
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Isle Of Palms is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Isle Of Palms are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 481% above the South Carolina average.
Isle Of Palms: 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.
Older stock in Isle Of Palms represents 51% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Isle Of Palms: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Unlike communities where NFIP data shows minimal flood history, Isle Of Palms's record documents 2691 claims and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — a combination that moves flood-related water quality risk from the background into the foreground of any complete local water assessment. Flooding can overwhelm treatment capacity, contaminate wells, and trigger distribution backflow; at this level of exposure, those mechanisms have likely been activated during significant flood events.
Isle Of Palms has a significant flood history with 2,691 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $24,431 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,400</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 Isle Of Palms, SC