Wadmalaw Island, SC Water Safety: 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
In recent monitoring cycles, Wadmalaw Island tap water shows a mixed record for SC — several systems have documented violations alongside areas with clean compliance histories.
How Wadmalaw Island Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Wadmalaw Island Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.36.
Water Systems Serving Wadmalaw Island
Federal records track 1 water system in Wadmalaw Island, 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 Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,702 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Wadmalaw Island — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Wadmalaw Island: C (65/100)
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
Wadmalaw Island water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Wadmalaw Island
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29487 | C | BURBAGE MHP (SC1060063) | 171 |
All ZIP Codes in Wadmalaw Island
- 29487 [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.
CDC Health Data for Wadmalaw Island
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 Wadmalaw Island'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
Roughly balanced between older and newer construction, Wadmalaw Island shows a median build year of 1999 — a mid-range figure that places meaningful amounts of the residential inventory on both sides of the 1986 federal plumbing-solder ban.
Most homes in Wadmalaw Island 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.
Wadmalaw Island: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Wadmalaw Island lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Wadmalaw Island are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 115% above the South Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Wadmalaw Island
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.
45% — that captures the slice of Wadmalaw Island housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Wadmalaw Island
How does Wadmalaw Island's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 30 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% 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.
Wadmalaw Island has a moderate flood history with 30 FEMA claims averaging $2,003 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>$1,800</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.
What You Can Do in Wadmalaw Island
- 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. With 45% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Wadmalaw Island, SC