Summerville, SC: 16 Health Violations — 84/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to statewide averages in SC, Summerville scores well — health violations are below the norm and systems generally operate within federal standards.
How Summerville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Summerville Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 20 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0009 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 26% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,250 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.67 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Summerville
Throughout Summerville, SC, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 9 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Summerville, South Carolina (population ~164,613), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 623,460 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 16 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Summerville: B (84/100)
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
Summerville water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0009 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): 4 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 20 | 4 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29483 | B | 5 | 4 | Summerville Cpw (sc1810003) |
| 29484 | A | 5 | 4 | Summerville Cpw (sc1810003) |
| 29485 | B | 5 | 4 | Summerville Cpw (sc1810003) |
| 29486 | A | 5 | 4 | Summerville Cpw (sc1810003) |
All ZIP Codes in Summerville
- 29483 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29484 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29485 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 29486 [A] — 5 violations ⚠
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 Summerville
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 Summerville
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Summerville'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
Copper plumbing joined with lead solder was standard practice through the mid-1980s — a design choice that federal regulators prohibited in 1986. Summerville's residential inventory, centered around a median build year of 2000, 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 Summerville 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.
Summerville: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Summerville sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Summerville are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,400–$3,825 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 51% above the South Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Summerville
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.
26% of housing in Summerville predates the federal action against lead solder — a contained share — and aggregate readings stay beneath the regulatory benchmark. Lead therefore sits in a quiet position on the local water-quality picture, with single-home draws as the standard tool for confirming any one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Summerville
How does Summerville's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 460 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 75% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Summerville has a moderate flood history with 460 FEMA claims averaging $16,211 per payout. 75% 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>$2,250</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 Summerville, SC