Charlestown, MD Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in Charlestown, MD tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How Charlestown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Charlestown Water
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.18 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Charlestown
With 2 utilities splitting service in Charlestown, MD, water accountability is distributed across 2 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Charlestown, Maryland (population ~786), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 12,391 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Charlestown — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Charlestown: C (55/100)
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
Charlestown water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Charlestown
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21914 | C | TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN | 3,791 |
All ZIP Codes in Charlestown
- 21914 [C]
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 Charlestown
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Charlestown
With 73% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The character of Charlestown's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1954 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Charlestown were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Charlestown Homeowners
At current valuations, Charlestown sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Charlestown are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the Maryland average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Charlestown
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 serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 73% of Charlestown homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Charlestown
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Charlestown shows 48 claims and 100% 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.
Charlestown has a moderate flood history with 48 FEMA claims averaging $18,384 per payout. 100% 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>$2,100</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.
What You Can Do in Charlestown
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 73% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Charlestown, MD