Baltimore, MD: 100 Health Violations — 64/100 (2026)
50 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Baltimore, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for MD.
How Baltimore Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Baltimore, 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 Baltimore.
Baltimore Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 550 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0027 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,764 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.71 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Baltimore
5 water systems are tracked federally in Baltimore, MD. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 50 ZIP codes in Baltimore, Maryland (population ~593,135), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 1,601,403 people region-wide.
50 of 50 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 100 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Baltimore: C (64/100)
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
Baltimore water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0027 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 48 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 3 (Low): 1 ZIP code
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 255 | 50 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 102 | 50 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 51 | 50 |
| Contaminant 2384 | Other | 51 | 50 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 51 | 50 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21201 | C | 11 | 2 | City of Baltimore |
| 21202 | C | 11 | 2 | City of Baltimore |
| 21203 | A | 11 | 2 | City of Baltimore |
| 21205 | C | 11 | 2 | City of Baltimore |
| 21206 | C | 11 | 2 | City of Baltimore |
| 21209 | C | 11 | 2 | City of Baltimore |
| 21210 | C | 11 | 2 | City of Baltimore |
| 21211 | C | 11 | 2 | City of Baltimore |
| 21212 | C | 11 | 2 | City of Baltimore |
| 21213 | C | 11 | 2 | City of Baltimore |
All ZIP Codes in Baltimore
- 21201 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21202 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21203 [A] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21205 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21206 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21209 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21210 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21211 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21212 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21213 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21214 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21215 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21216 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21217 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21218 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21223 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21224 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21229 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21230 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21231 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21233 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21235 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21239 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21240 [B] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21241 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21250 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21251 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21260 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21263 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21264 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21265 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21268 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21270 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21273 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21274 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21275 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21278 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21279 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21280 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21281 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21282 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21283 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21284 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21285 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21287 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21288 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21289 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21290 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21297 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 21298 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
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 Baltimore
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 Baltimore
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Baltimore: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Placing remediation in the context of Baltimore's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Baltimore are relatively low compared to home values. The $840–$3,004 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 46% below the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Baltimore
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.
Lead risk in Baltimore appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Baltimore
NFIP data for Baltimore documents 1043 flood insurance claims across the program's multi-decade tracking period, with 44% of ZIP codes mapped into FEMA flood zones. That level of exposure creates compounding risk during major flood events: treatment systems can be overwhelmed, wells can be contaminated, and distribution infrastructure can suffer backflow — all pathways by which flood events degrade local water quality beyond the physical damage.
Baltimore has a significant flood history with 1,043 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $19,561 per claim. With 44% 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>$1,764</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 Baltimore
- 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. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Baltimore's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Baltimore, MD