Bethesda, MD: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100
11 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Bethesda: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Documented records place Bethesda, MD in the middle grade tier.
How Bethesda Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Bethesda Residents
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 10.24.
Bethesda's Water Providers
One water system is listed below for Bethesda, MD; federal data link 1 to the area overall.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 11 ZIP codes in Bethesda, Maryland (population ~86,851), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,900,000 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 6 of 11 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 6 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bethesda: C (67/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Bethesda water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 6 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
11 of 11 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20814 | C | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
| 20816 | C | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
| 20817 | C | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
| 20889 | — | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
| 20892 | C | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
| 20894 | — | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Bethesda
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Bethesda Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Remediation Costs Compare in Bethesda
Here the gap between local home values and the estimated repair bill is wide, so the percentage shown below for Bethesda stays at or under the 1% mark.
Estimated remediation costs in Bethesda can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 167% above the Maryland average.
Bethesda: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Bethesda contains 133 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $13,573. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $500 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Bethesda
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
- 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 Bethesda, MD