Water Quality in Ellicott City, MD: 15 Violations — Grade C
Grade C · Score 61/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Ellicott City's water has moderate compliance issues. Residents in affected areas should consider filtration.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
EPA files for Ellicott City, MD document 15 water violations — a record that encompasses health-based exceedances, monitoring and reporting failures, and any other compliance events registered for local public water systems across all available federal compliance records for this area.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Ellicott City
Water quality varies across Ellicott City's 3 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21043 | D | 54 | 5 | 1 | View report → |
| 21042 | C | 59 | 5 | 1 | View report → |
| 21041 | C | 69 | 5 | 1 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Ellicott City, Maryland receives a water quality grade of C with an overall score of 61 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 5 water systems serving Ellicott City have accumulated 15 EPA violations, including 3 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 3 ZIP codes serving approximately 649 people.
What Grade C Means
A grade of C indicates moderate compliance issues. Ellicott City's water systems have some violations that warrant attention. While the water may still be safe for most people, residents in affected ZIP codes should consider additional testing or filtration.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Ellicott City water systems is -0.0020 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
Radon Risk
Ellicott City is in EPA Radon Zone 1 (High risk). The EPA recommends all homes in Zone 1 areas be tested for radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
Water Systems Serving Ellicott City
Ellicott City is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 649 people across 3 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 24 enforcement actions against water systems serving Ellicott City. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Ellicott City
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Ellicott City Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Ellicott City's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 6 | 3 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 6 | 3 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 3 | 3 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 7 enforcement actions against water systems serving Ellicott City. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-06-30 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-01-30 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-11-19 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-11-19 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2022-12-28 | State Order Extension |
| 2022-11-17 | State Informal Action |
| 2021-06-24 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-06-30.
Ellicott City vs. Nearby Maryland Cities
How Ellicott City's water quality compares to similar cities in Maryland:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City | C | 15 | 5 | 649 |
| Street | B | 1 | 4 | 643 |
| Chesapeake City | B | 0 | 1 | 673 |
| Crumpton | B | 0 | 1 | 625 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Ellicott City
Water quality varies across Ellicott City's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
Common Questions About Ellicott City Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Ellicott City, Maryland:
Is Ellicott City water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Ellicott City's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Ellicott City tap water? Ellicott City's water receives a grade of C (61/100). There are 3 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Ellicott City? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Ellicott City vs. Maryland Average
Understanding how Ellicott City compares to the broader Maryland average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Ellicott City.
ZIP Codes in Ellicott City
Ellicott City spans 3 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 21041. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.