Rains, SC Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in SC, Rains lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Rains Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Rains's Water Providers
Federal records track 1 water system in Rains, SC, and a single provider handles the dominant share of residential connections while carrying primary responsibility for EPA compliance.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Rains, South Carolina (population ~40), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 17,120 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Rains — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rains: C (66/100)
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
Rains water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Rains
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29589 | C | MARCO RURAL WATER CO (SC3320001) | 17,120 |
All ZIP Codes in Rains
- 29589 [C]
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.
Rains 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
Rains Infrastructure Age
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
Copper plumbing joined with lead solder was standard practice through the mid-1980s — a design choice that federal regulators prohibited in 1986. Rains's residential inventory, centered around a median build year of 1995, is weighted toward the post-prohibition era. That context is relevant because the primary plumbing risk in older homes comes not from the municipal water supply but from what happens as water moves through lead-jointed pipes inside the structure — an exposure pathway that newer homes mostly avoid.
Most homes in Rains 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.
What You Can Do in Rains
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rains, SC