Water Quality in Baltimore, MD: 22 Violations - Grade N/A
4 water systems · 25 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 22 violations across 25 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Baltimore. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Baltimore
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21229 | 18 | 3 | View report → |
| 21210 | 13 | 3 | View report → |
| 21211 | 13 | 3 | View report → |
| 21201 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21202 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21205 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21206 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21209 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21212 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21213 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21214 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21215 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21216 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21217 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
| 21218 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Baltimore.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25 | 25 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2026 | 25 | 25 |
Water Quality Overview
Baltimore, Maryland has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 25 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 22 violations, including 4 health-based violations across 25 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Baltimore water systems is 0.0027 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 25 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 85% of homes built before 1986, Baltimore has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Baltimore
Baltimore is served by 4 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 593,135 people across 50 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 250 enforcement actions against water systems serving Baltimore. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Baltimore
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Baltimore Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Baltimore's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 31 | 25 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 28 | 25 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 25 | 25 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 25 | 25 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 3 | 3 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Baltimore:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25 | 25 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2026 | 25 | 25 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 17 enforcement actions against water systems serving Baltimore. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-12 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-12 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-10-10 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-08-08 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-07-21 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-07-21 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-07-02 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-07-01 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-06-13 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-12.
Baltimore vs. Nearby Maryland Cities
How Baltimore's water quality compares to similar cities in Maryland:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | 25 | 22 | 4 | 593,135 |
| Silver Spring | 7 | 0 | 1 | 307,872 |
| Hyattsville | 5 | 0 | 1 | 172,030 |
| Frederick | 5 | 7 | 8 | 150,170 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Baltimore
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Baltimore's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 21229 | 18 | 3 |
| 21210 | 13 | 3 |
| 21211 | 13 | 3 |
| 21201 | 9 | 2 |
| 21202 | 9 | 2 |
| 21205 | 9 | 2 |
| 21206 | 9 | 2 |
| 21209 | 9 | 2 |
| 21212 | 9 | 2 |
| 21213 | 9 | 2 |
| 21214 | 9 | 2 |
| 21215 | 9 | 2 |
| 21216 | 9 | 2 |
| 21217 | 9 | 2 |
| 21218 | 9 | 2 |
Common Questions About Baltimore Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Baltimore, Maryland:
Is Baltimore water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Baltimore's 4 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Baltimore tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 4 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Baltimore? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Baltimore vs. Maryland Average
Understanding how Baltimore compares to the broader Maryland average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Baltimore.
ZIP Codes in Baltimore
Baltimore spans 50 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 25 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.