Dowell, MD: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Dowell: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Dowell, MD: a C, mid-scale.
How Dowell Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Dowell Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 9% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 12.39.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Dowell, Maryland (population ~1,067), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,811 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Dowell: C (67/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Dowell water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20629 | C | Solomons | 3,811 |
All ZIP Codes in Dowell
- 20629 [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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Dowell
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Dowell's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Construction dates in Dowell center on a median of 2006, and the Census figures behind it describe when homes were built, not what materials they contain.
Most homes in Dowell were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Protecting Children from Lead in Dowell
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures or solder, and census figures put that share of Dowell housing at about 9%. The lead figure used here, an average of ZIP-level 90th-percentile results, sits under 0.010 mg/L. Neither number shows what flows from a particular family's faucet; a test of that faucet is the only direct measure.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Dowell
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Dowell, MD