Annapolis, MD: 8 Violations — 79/100 (2026)
8 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Annapolis records above-average water quality outcomes for MD; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
How Annapolis Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Annapolis, MD
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Annapolis.
Annapolis Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 8 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: -0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 69% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,463 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.75.
Water Systems Serving Annapolis
Water supply in Annapolis, MD follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 6 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 8 ZIP codes in Annapolis, Maryland (population ~94,866), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 357,565 people region-wide.
8 of 8 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Annapolis: B (79/100)
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
Annapolis water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): -0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 8 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel | Inorganic | 9 | 8 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21401 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Annapolis |
| 21402 | B | 1 | 0 | U.s. Naval Academy |
| 21403 | C | 1 | 0 | City of Annapolis |
| 21404 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Annapolis |
| 21405 | B | 1 | 0 | Broad Creek |
| 21409 | B | 1 | 0 | Glen Burnie-broadneck |
| 21411 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Annapolis |
| 21412 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Annapolis |
All ZIP Codes in Annapolis
- 21401 [B] — 1 violation
- 21402 [B] — 1 violation
- 21403 [C] — 1 violation
- 21404 [B] — 1 violation
- 21405 [B] — 1 violation
- 21409 [B] — 1 violation
- 21411 [B] — 1 violation
- 21412 [B] — 1 violation
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 Annapolis
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 Annapolis
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Annapolis's Housing Stock?
With 69% 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 1965 places Annapolis'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 Annapolis 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.
Annapolis: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Annapolis picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Annapolis are relatively low compared to home values. The $725–$2,425 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 36% above the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Annapolis
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 69% of Annapolis stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results 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 Annapolis
Across the years captured by NFIP data, Annapolis has logged 584 flood insurance claims and carries 75% of its ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — a sustained record consistent with high flood exposure. The water quality implications run through several pathways: treatment systems repeatedly stressed by high-volume intake, private wells in FEMA zones facing recurring infiltration risk, and distribution infrastructure that has likely experienced multiple backflow episodes during large events.
Annapolis has a significant flood history with 584 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $17,127 per claim. With 75% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,463</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 Annapolis, MD