Seneca, SC: 6 Violations — 79/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Seneca by SC authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Seneca Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Seneca Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.98 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Seneca
Water delivery in Seneca, SC is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 10 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Seneca, South Carolina (population ~35,871), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 109,501 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Seneca: B (79/100)
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
Seneca water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 3 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 3 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29672 | B | 2 | 0 | Seneca City of (sc3710002) |
| 29678 | B | 2 | 0 | Seneca City of (sc3710002) |
| 29679 | B | 2 | 0 | Seneca City of (sc3710002) |
All ZIP Codes in Seneca
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 Seneca
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Seneca
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Seneca's Housing Stock?
With 45% 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
Pre-1986 construction carries elevated plumbing-era lead risk because lead solder was widely used before that federal ban. In Seneca, the median build year of 1991 indicates a housing stock where that older fraction represents a significant share of the residential inventory.
Most homes in Seneca 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.
Seneca: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Seneca sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Seneca are relatively low compared to home values. The $667–$2,233 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 91% above the South Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Seneca
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 Seneca represents 45% 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Seneca
Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, Seneca shows a moderate flood record — 8 claims and 67% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone status. For water quality, that combination matters because flood events at this frequency can periodically stress infrastructure: treatment plants, private wells, and distribution systems all face elevated risk during significant flooding.
Seneca has a moderate flood history with 8 FEMA claims averaging $5,964 per payout. 67% 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>$1,400</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 Seneca, SC