COUNTY REPORT SC

Saluda County, South Carolina

3 ZIP codes · Avg score 82/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04

Saluda County maintains reliable drinking water quality across all 3 of its tracked ZIP codes.

How Saluda County Compares

Saluda County82/100
South Carolina avg78/100
National avg68/100

How Saluda County Compares

B
County Grade
82/100
Avg Safety Score
3
ZIP Codes
7
Water Systems

Saluda County scores 4 points above the South Carolina state average (78/100) and 14 points above the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04

B
County Grade
82
Avg Safety Score
3
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 29129 (94/100)
Lowest ZIP: 29166 (66/100)
$116K
Median Home Value
$900
Avg Remediation (78% of home value)

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 15.6 (asthma 9.8%, diabetes 16.8%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $320, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.37% avg pipe failure probability, 33% of ZIPs at high risk

56% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2024)

→ Stable trend

EPA violation counts by year across Saluda County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
9 (9 health)
2022
2 (2 health)
2024
1 (1 health)

Peak year: 2021 with 9 violations. Past 5 years: 12 total (12 health-based).

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 9.8% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 16.8% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 43.6% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1982
Median Build Year
56%
Pre-1978 Housing
37%
Pipe Failure Probability
33%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Moderate
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $320

Energy Code Gap $270/yr
Water / Lead $50/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

6,823 housing units in Saluda County

Pre-1940 9%
1940–1959 9%
1960–1979 22%
1980–1999 44%
2000+ 16%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).

Water Safety Affordability

How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Saluda County

$116K
Median Home Value
$900
Est. Remediation Cost
0.8%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Saluda County, representing a small fraction of property value.

Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.

Health Outcomes vs National Average

CDC PLACES data for Saluda County residents

Asthma 9.8% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 16.8% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 43.6% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Saluda County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Saluda Company W&s Authority (4120001) 4,535 10
2 Saluda Cpw (sc4110001) 3,390 8
3 Richard Deason Mhp (sc4160011) 55 8
4 Ridge Spring Town of (sc4110002) 1,575 2
5 Aiken City of (0210001) 45,090 2

7 total water systems serve Saluda County.

All ZIP Codes in Saluda County

3 ZIP codes tracked in Saluda County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 29129 Ridge Spring 94 A 2 (1 health) $130K
2 29138 Saluda 87 A 8 (4 health) $111K
3 29166 Ward 66 C 0 $116K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Saluda County

Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.

Overview

Saluda County in South Carolina covers 3 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (82/100).

2 of 3 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to South Carolina water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Saluda County?
Saluda County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 3 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Saluda County?
Saluda County is served by 7 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 3 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Saluda County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Saluda County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $320 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Saluda County?
The median home build year in Saluda County is 1982. 56% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Saluda County compare to South Carolina?
Saluda County has an average water safety score of 82/100, which is above the South Carolina state average of 78/100.

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