Clear Spring, MD: High Radon Risk — 45/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Clear Spring, water quality data indicates below-average safety by MD standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.
How Clear Spring Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Clear Spring Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 56% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.16 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Clear Spring
Multiple utilities divide Clear Spring, MD's water service — 2 leading providers among 2 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Clear Spring, Maryland (population ~6,918), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 94,600 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Clear Spring — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Clear Spring: D (45/100)
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
Clear Spring water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Clear Spring
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21722 | D | CITY OF HAGERSTOWN | 92,200 |
All ZIP Codes in Clear Spring
- 21722 [D]
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 Clear Spring
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 Clear Spring's Housing Stock?
With 56% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Clear Spring — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1988 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Clear Spring 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.
Clear Spring: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Clear Spring, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Clear Spring are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Clear Spring
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 56% of Clear Spring stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Clear Spring
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Clear Spring shows 11 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.
Clear Spring has a moderate flood history with 11 FEMA claims averaging $11,975 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>$2,400</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 Clear Spring
- 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 56% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- 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 Clear Spring, MD