Ellicott City, MD: 3 Health Violations - Home Safety 56/100
3 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Ellicott City: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
The C shown for Ellicott City, MD is an average of Home Safety Scores across the city's ZIP codes; that composite blends several data sources, so it can move for reasons unrelated to water, and it is not a measurement of what comes out of any tap in the city.
How Ellicott City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Ellicott City Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 15 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 40% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $800 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 10.56.
Who Supplies Your Water in Ellicott City
Among 3 systems linked to Ellicott City, MD, the 3 biggest by population served appear below.
- C
- C
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Ellicott City, Maryland (population ~90,155), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 1,886,473 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 3 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ellicott City: C (56/100)
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
Ellicott City water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
3 of 3 ZIP records with known zones are 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 5 | 2 |
| Toxaphene | Organic | 4 | 1 |
| Chlordane | Organic | 4 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | 2 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21043 | C | 10 | 2 | Howard County D.p.w. Distribution |
| 21042 | D | 6 | 1 | Howard County D.p.w. Distribution |
All ZIP Codes in Ellicott City
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.
Health Outcomes in Ellicott City
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
Top Contaminants in Ellicott City Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Ellicott City
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
Homes on the same street in Ellicott City can differ: one may keep original pre-1986 plumbing while another has been replumbed, so the 1989 median is only a starting point.
Most homes in Ellicott City 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Ellicott City Homeowners
The remediation-to-value ratio for Ellicott City sits at the bottom of the scale.
Estimated remediation costs in Ellicott City can be compared with local home values. The $450–$1,400 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 58% above the Maryland average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Ellicott City
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.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Ellicott City
Historical NFIP data for Ellicott City contains 291 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $70,789. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 33% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $800 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Ellicott City
- 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. For Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, listed in the water-quality records for Ellicott City: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 40% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ellicott City, MD