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.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Baltimore

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 - 550 total, including 100 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (64/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0027 mg/L
• 85% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 52% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1933
• Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 65/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 24%
• 20 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 85% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Baltimore residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

296,294 total housing units across 50 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Baltimore:

• 1,043 flood insurance claims on record
• $27,817,595 total paid out
• $26,671 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
• 10 of 50 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 48 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 1 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 1 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Baltimore Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Baltimore has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

• Baltimore is in a high-risk radon area
• Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
• If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

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 ⚠

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Baltimore, MD?

Baltimore has an average Home Safety Score of 64/100 (grade C) across 50 ZIP codes. There are 550 recorded EPA violations, 100 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Baltimore have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Baltimore is 0.0027 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 85% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Baltimore at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 1,043 flood insurance claims in Baltimore ZIP codes, with an average payout of $26,671. 10 of 50 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Baltimore homes?

85% of Baltimore housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 52% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 24%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Baltimore water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule, Lead. Across 50 ZIP codes, 50 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

A median build year of 1933 in Baltimore points to a housing stock where post-1986 construction is the norm. That matters because lead solder in plumbing - banned federally in 1986 - is a primary pathway by which older homes can elevate tap water lead above what enters the distribution system.

1933

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Baltimore 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.

Protecting Children from Lead in Baltimore

0.0027

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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 records stretching across multiple decades show Baltimore accumulating 1043 claims and carrying 0% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones - evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.

1,043

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~52

Est. Claims/Year

Baltimore has a moderate flood history with 1,043 FEMA claims. 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.

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.