Fort Washington, MD Water Safety: 52/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to MD averages, Fort Washington scores below the baseline — health violations appear more frequently than the norm and the city's grade reflects that ongoing shortfall.
How Fort Washington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Fort Washington Water
- Estimated remediation: $1,250 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.05 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Fort Washington
Water service in Fort Washington, MD is split across 3 utilities out of 3 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Fort Washington, Maryland (population ~56,236), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 1,925,300 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Fort Washington — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fort Washington: D (52/100)
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
Fort Washington water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Fort Washington
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20744 | D | WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION | 1,900,000 |
| 20749 | D | CITY OF BOWIE | 25,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Fort Washington
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 Fort Washington
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
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Fort Washington Homeowners
Remediation costs in Fort Washington are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Fort Washington are relatively low compared to home values. The $550–$2,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 2% below the Maryland average.
Flood & Climate Risk in Fort Washington
Although Fort Washington's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 103 claims and FEMA maps place 50% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Fort Washington has a moderate flood history with 103 FEMA claims averaging $13,786 per payout. 50% 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>$1,250</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 Fort Washington
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- 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 Fort Washington, MD