North Charleston, SC: 5 Violations — 87/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across North Charleston, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above SC's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How North Charleston Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: North Charleston, SC
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for North Charleston's 5 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for North Charleston Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 51% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.62.
North Charleston's Water Providers
In North Charleston, SC, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 4 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in North Charleston, South Carolina (population ~75,617), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 436,742 people region-wide.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for North Charleston: A (87/100)
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
North Charleston 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 5 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29405 | B | 1 | 0 | Charleston Water System (sc1010001) |
| 29415 | A | 1 | 0 | Dcws Ashley Phosphate (sc1820008) |
| 29418 | B | 1 | 0 | Dcws Ashley Phosphate (sc1820008) |
| 29419 | A | 1 | 0 | Dcws Ashley Phosphate (sc1820008) |
| 29420 | B | 1 | 0 | Dcws Ashley Phosphate (sc1820008) |
All ZIP Codes in North Charleston
- 29405 [B] — 1 violation
- 29415 [A] — 1 violation
- 29418 [B] — 1 violation
- 29419 [A] — 1 violation
- 29420 [B] — 1 violation
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.
North Charleston 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
What's in North Charleston's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
North Charleston 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
North Charleston's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1982 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in North Charleston 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 North Charleston
How much of a North Charleston home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in North Charleston are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,333–$2,833 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 29% above the South Carolina average.
North Charleston: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 51% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in North Charleston.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
North Charleston: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
NFIP data for North Charleston documents 673 flood insurance claims across the program's multi-decade tracking period, with 60% of ZIP codes mapped into FEMA flood zones. That level of exposure creates compounding risk during major flood events: treatment systems can be overwhelmed, wells can be contaminated, and distribution infrastructure can suffer backflow — all pathways by which flood events degrade local water quality beyond the physical damage.
North Charleston has a significant flood history with 673 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $20,876 per claim. With 60% 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>$2,000</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 North Charleston, SC