Finksburg, MD: High Radon Risk — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water monitoring data for Finksburg shows a consistently clean picture in MD — few violations on record, compliance well above the median.
How Finksburg Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Finksburg Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0017 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.39 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Finksburg
Residential addresses in Finksburg, MD are served by 3 primary water providers out of 3 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 Finksburg, Maryland (population ~10,002), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 25,126 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Finksburg — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Finksburg: B (70/100)
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
Finksburg water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0017 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21048 | B | Freedom District | 24,867 |
All ZIP Codes in Finksburg
- 21048 [B]
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 Finksburg
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 Finksburg's Housing Stock?
With 60% 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, Finksburg is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1988 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Finksburg 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.
Finksburg: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Finksburg market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Finksburg 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 1% below the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Finksburg
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Finksburg — 60% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Finksburg
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Finksburg through the NFIP — 8 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Finksburg has a moderate flood history with 8 FEMA claims averaging $4,955 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Finksburg, MD