Chevy Chase, MD: High Radon Risk — 43/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're researching Chevy Chase, MD tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average — health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How Chevy Chase Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Chevy Chase Water
- Estimated remediation: $2,050 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.24.
Who Supplies Your Water in Chevy Chase
In Chevy Chase, MD, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Chevy Chase, Maryland (population ~31,269), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,900,096 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Chevy Chase — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Chevy Chase: D (43/100)
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
Chevy Chase water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Chevy Chase
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20815 | D | WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION | 1,900,000 |
| 20825 | D | GRANITE MOBILE HOME PARK | 96 |
All ZIP Codes in Chevy Chase
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 Chevy Chase
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
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Chevy Chase Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Chevy Chase picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Chevy Chase are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,350–$2,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 188% above the Maryland average.
Flood & Climate Risk in Chevy Chase
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Chevy Chase accumulating 35 claims and carrying 50% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Chevy Chase has a moderate flood history with 35 FEMA claims averaging $3,169 per payout. 50% 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>$2,050</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 Chevy Chase
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Chevy Chase, MD