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.
Boyds, MD: mid-range safety grade, uneven compliance across service areas.
How Boyds Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Boyds Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 17% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.24.
Water Systems Serving Boyds
Water supply in Boyds, MD follows a divided structure: 2 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 2 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
- 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 lead level (90th percentile): 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
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Lead | 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). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
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
Banned from residential plumbing in 1986, lead solder was a near-universal feature of copper plumbing before that cutoff. In Boyds, where the median build year is 2006, the majority of housing falls into the post-ban category - though the older fraction of the stock still carries the residual risk that comes with pre-1986 pipe and solder materials.
Most homes in Boyds 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.
Boyds: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Boyds, the resulting ratio is low - a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Boyds are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 81% above the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Boyds
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.
Despite citywide averages reading cleanly under the federal action threshold, the way utilities pull samples - from a representative subset rather than door-to-door - leaves room for individual buildings with older interior lines to behave differently than the aggregate suggests. With only 17% of Boyds stock predating the solder rule, that residual subset is small but real, and a draw-test kit gives the only direct read on what comes out of one faucet on a given morning.
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 <strong>$1,700</strong> 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. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Nickel can reduce the most common contaminant found in Boyds's water.
- 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