CITY REPORT SC

Olar, SC: 3 Violations — 96/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Tap water monitoring data for Olar shows a consistently clean picture in SC — few violations on record, compliance well above the median.

How Olar Compares

Olar96/100
South Carolina avg78/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
A · 96
Avg Safety Score
Zone 3
Radon Risk (Low)
$68K
Median Home Value

Key Facts for Olar Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0004 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 61% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • CDC health risk index: 16.33 — above typical levels.

Olar's Water Providers

Olar, SC draws its residential water from 2 separate providers among the 2 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.

Barnwell Town of (sc0610001)
Serves ~4,693 people · 3 violations
96
/100
Olar Govan Water System (0510004)
Serves ~291 people · 3 violations
96
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Olar, South Carolina (population ~1,056), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 4,984 people region-wide.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Olar: A (96/100)

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

Olar water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0004 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)

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Total Coliform Microbiological 2 1
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 2 1
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
29843 A 3 0 Barnwell Town of (sc0610001)

All ZIP Codes in Olar

  • 29843 [A] — 3 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Olar Community Health Snapshot

10.9%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
19.5%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
17.7%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.9% ↑
Diabetes 19.5% ↑
Mental Health 17.7% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

What's in Olar's Water?

Total Coliform 2 violations
Microbiological
Indicates possible pathogenic contamination
Stage 1 DBP Rule 2 violations
Treatment Technique
Disinfection byproduct exposure risk
Surface Water Treatment Rule 2 violations
Treatment Technique
Pathogens may not be adequately removed

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Olar Infrastructure Age

1971
Median Build Year
61%
Built Before 1986
22%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

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

Reading the housing age data for Olar — median build year 1971 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.

1971
Median Year Built
61%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
22%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (22%) 1970–1986 (39%) Post-1986 (39%)

Over half of homes in Olar 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.

Olar: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

61%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0004
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

If 61% of the Olar inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Olar, SC?
Olar has an average water safety score of 96/100 (Grade A). 3 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Olar have?
Olar water systems have a total of 3 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Olar water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Olar is 0.0004 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Olar compare to South Carolina average?
Olar has an average water safety score of 96/100, which is above the South Carolina state average of 78/100.
How many water systems serve Olar?
Olar is served by 2 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 1,056 people.
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