Chesapeake City, MD Water Safety: 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, Chesapeake City holds an above-average drinking water safety record for MD — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How Chesapeake City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Chesapeake City Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 76% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.18 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Chesapeake City
For most households in Chesapeake City, MD, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Chesapeake City, Maryland, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,471 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Chesapeake City — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Chesapeake City: B (70/100)
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
Chesapeake City water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Chesapeake City
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21915 | B | Town of Chesapeake City [formerly South] | 673 |
All ZIP Codes in Chesapeake City
- 21915 [B]
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.
CDC Health Data for Chesapeake City
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
How Old Is Chesapeake City's Housing Stock?
With 76% 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
What does a median build year of 1961 mean for water safety in Chesapeake City? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Chesapeake City 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.
Chesapeake City: Remediation Cost in Perspective
How much of a Chesapeake City home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Chesapeake City are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 17% below the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Chesapeake City
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 76% of the Chesapeake City inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Chesapeake City
FEMA data shows 100% of Chesapeake City's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 27 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Chesapeake City has a moderate flood history with 27 FEMA claims averaging $7,611 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>$1,600</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 Chesapeake City, MD