Clinton, MD Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Clinton, EPA compliance records fall well below MD averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Clinton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Clinton Water
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.05 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Clinton
Residential addresses in Clinton, MD are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Clinton, Maryland (population ~37,926), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,925,000 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Clinton — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Clinton: D (50/100)
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
Clinton water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Clinton
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20735 | D | WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION | 1,900,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Clinton
- 20735 [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.
Health Outcomes in Clinton
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 Clinton
With 50% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Clinton is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1983 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Clinton 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 Clinton Homeowners
In Clinton, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Clinton 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 6% below the Maryland average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Clinton
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 50% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Clinton.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Clinton
FEMA data shows 100% of Clinton's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 55 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Clinton has a moderate flood history with 55 FEMA claims averaging $8,890 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 Clinton
- 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 50% 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 Clinton, MD