Boyds, MD: 2 Violations - Home Safety 66/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Boyds: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Neither high nor low, the composite grade for Boyds, MD is a C, built from ZIP-level scores.
How Boyds Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Boyds Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 17% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 10.24.
Water Systems Serving Boyds
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 2 shown below do not apply to the others among the 2 tied to Boyds, MD.
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Boyds, Maryland (population ~9,706), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,906,005 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Boyds: C (66/100)
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
Boyds water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0050 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Nitrate | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20841 | C | 2 | 0 | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission |
All ZIP Codes in Boyds
- 20841 [C] - 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Boyds
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Boyds
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Boyds's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Federal restrictions on lead pipe, solder and flux in new drinking water plumbing date from the 1986 Safe Drinking Water Act amendments; the median build year of 2006 for Boyds is one reference point against that date.
Most homes in Boyds were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Boyds: Remediation Cost in Perspective
This section sets two area figures side by side for Boyds: the median home value and an estimated remediation cost. Here the estimate equals no more than 1% of that value, which places the city in the low tier; it is an area estimate, and the cost for any one property can be higher or lower.
Estimated remediation costs in Boyds 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 81% above the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Boyds
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
No safe blood lead level in children has been identified, according to CDC, so an area average under 0.010 mg/L does not rule out exposure at home. In Boyds, 17% of homes were built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Boyds
Historical NFIP data for Boyds contains 3 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $1,804. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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 Boyds
- 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. For Fluoride, listed in the water-quality records for Boyds: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- 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 Boyds, MD