Bowie, MD: 7 Health Violations — 80/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Residents of Bowie generally live with tap water that beats the MD safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.
How Bowie Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Water Quality Map: Bowie, MD
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Bowie score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Bowie Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0017 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,671 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.05 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Bowie
With 2 utilities splitting service in Bowie, MD, water accountability is distributed across 2 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Bowie, Maryland (population ~105,843), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,925,000 people region-wide.
7 of 7 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 7 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bowie: B (80/100)
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
Bowie water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0017 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): 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 16 | 7 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20715 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Bowie |
| 20716 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Bowie |
| 20717 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Bowie |
| 20718 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Bowie |
| 20719 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Bowie |
| 20720 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Bowie |
| 20721 | B | 2 | 1 | WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION |
All ZIP Codes in Bowie
- 20715 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 20716 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 20717 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 20718 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 20719 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 20720 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 20721 [B] — 2 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.
Health Outcomes in Bowie
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
Top Contaminants in Bowie Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Bowie Homeowners
Given current Bowie valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Bowie are relatively low compared to home values. The $779–$2,886 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 28% above the Maryland average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Bowie
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 Bowie 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Bowie
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Bowie shows 73 claims and 57% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Bowie has a moderate flood history with 73 FEMA claims averaging $2,285 per payout. 57% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. 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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,671</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 Bowie, MD