West Columbia, SC - Home Safety Score unavailable
4 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
West Columbia Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 20 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.011 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,380 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 12.97.
Water Systems Serving West Columbia
When a city is linked to 10 water systems, as West Columbia, SC is in federal records, water in one neighborhood may come from a different system than in another. The 3 systems with the largest reported populations are shown below, and their compliance records are kept separately, so a violation logged for one does not describe the others.
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in West Columbia, South Carolina (population ~52,156), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 440,596 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 4 ZIP codes.
3 of 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
West Columbia water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0110 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
4 of 4 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 7 | 2 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 6 | 2 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Chlorine | Disinfectant | 6 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29170 | — | 13 | 1 | Cayce City of (sc3210003) |
| 29172 | — | 5 | 0 | Cayce City of (sc3210003) |
| 29169 | — | 2 | 2 | West Columbia City of (sc3210004) |
All ZIP Codes in West Columbia
- 29169 - 2 violations ⚠
- 29170 - 13 violations ⚠
- 29171
- 29172 - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for West Columbia
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in West Columbia
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is West Columbia's Housing Stock?
With 58% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Lead can reach tap water from service lines, solder and brass fittings inside a building, which is why housing age draws attention in West Columbia, where the median build year is 1975.
Over half of homes in West Columbia were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
West Columbia: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because the median home value in West Columbia is large relative to the estimated cost of remediation, the ratio between them stays at or below 1%; that is a statement about two area-level numbers, not a quote for a particular house or a judgment about what an owner can pay.
Estimated remediation costs in West Columbia can be compared with local home values. The $870–$2,040 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 8% below the South Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in West Columbia
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Two pieces of area data frame lead for West Columbia families. First, the average of ZIP-level 90th-percentile lead results is 0.010 mg/L or higher. Second, census figures put homes built before 1986, which are more likely to contain lead pipes, fixtures or solder, at about 58% of the housing stock. Neither figure measures a particular home, so a certified lab test of the tap water is the step that shows the lead level there.
1 ZIP code (25% of the city's ZIP records) is served by a water system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for West Columbia
Historical NFIP data for West Columbia contains 64 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $16,909. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $1,380 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for West Columbia, SC