Port Royal, SC Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Port Royal hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in SC with few health-based violations on file.
How Port Royal Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Port Royal Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 38% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.75 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Port Royal
Residential water service in Port Royal, SC is divided among 2 separate utilities, drawn from 2 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Port Royal, South Carolina (population ~4,030), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 145,796 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Port Royal — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Port Royal: 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
Port Royal water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Port Royal
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29935 | B | Bjw&sa (0720003) | 145,634 |
All ZIP Codes in Port Royal
- 29935 [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.
CDC Health Data for Port Royal
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 Port Royal'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
Port Royal's residential inventory spans multiple construction eras, with the median build year of 1996 landing in a zone where pre- and post-1986 homes are both well represented. That split matters because homes built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints — a plumbing practice banned that year — while those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line. Whether a specific household sits on the older or newer end of this distribution is the primary variable shaping its individual exposure risk.
Most homes in Port Royal 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.
Port Royal: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Port Royal market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Port Royal are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 22% above the South Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Port Royal
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 38% of Port Royal stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Port Royal
Port Royal's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 9 NFIP claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.
Port Royal has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $1,294 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>$1,200</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 Port Royal, SC