Sumter, SC Water Safety: 89/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For households in Sumter, SC water data shows a consistently above-average safety picture.
How Sumter Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Sumter Water
- Average lead level: 0.0008 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 51% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.68 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Sumter
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Sumter, SC — out of 7 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Sumter, South Carolina, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 83,285 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Sumter — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sumter: A (89/100)
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
Sumter water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0008 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
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29150 | B | Sumter City of (sc4310001) | 53,070 |
| 29151 | A | Sumter City of (sc4310001) | 53,070 |
| 29153 | A | Sumter City of (sc4310001) | 53,070 |
| 29154 | A | Sumter City of (sc4310001) | 53,070 |
All ZIP Codes in Sumter
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.
Health Outcomes in Sumter
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Sumter
With 51% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1984 places Sumter's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Sumter 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Sumter Homeowners
Homeowners in Sumter are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Sumter. The estimated $1,200–$2,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 24% below the South Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Sumter
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.
Wherever 51% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Sumter — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Sumter
A moderate NFIP record for Sumter — 283 insurance claims paired with 75% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Sumter has a moderate flood history with 283 FEMA claims averaging $26,714 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>$1,800</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 Sumter, SC