Frederick, MD: 6 Health Violations — 64/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Frederick, water safety data for MD reveals moderate quality — federal standards are generally met, but documented exceptions exist in specific service areas.
How Frederick Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Frederick, MD
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Frederick's 6 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Frederick Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 36% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,650 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.57.
Frederick's Water Providers
7 water systems are tracked federally in Frederick, MD. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Frederick, Maryland, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 150,170 people.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Frederick: C (64/100)
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
Frederick water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 6 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2020 | Other | 7 | 6 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 7 | 6 |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21701 | C | 3 | 1 | New Design - Frederick County |
| 21702 | C | 3 | 1 | City of Frederick |
| 21703 | C | 3 | 1 | New Design - Frederick County |
| 21704 | C | 3 | 1 | New Design - Frederick County |
| 21705 | C | 3 | 1 | City of Frederick |
| 21709 | C | 3 | 1 | New Design - Frederick County |
All ZIP Codes in Frederick
- 21701 [C] — 3 violations ⚠
- 21702 [C] — 3 violations ⚠
- 21703 [C] — 3 violations ⚠
- 21704 [C] — 3 violations ⚠
- 21705 [C] — 3 violations ⚠
- 21709 [C] — 3 violations ⚠
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.
Frederick Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Frederick's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Frederick Infrastructure Age
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
Prohibited from residential plumbing since 1986, lead solder divides Frederick's housing stock along a timeline that the median build year of 1992 straddles. A meaningful share of homes predates the ban — a configuration that places moderate aggregate pressure on plumbing-related lead risk, distributed unevenly across neighborhoods.
Most homes in Frederick were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Frederick
In Frederick, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Frederick are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,700–$3,833 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 5% below the Maryland average.
Frederick: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 36% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Frederick.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Frederick: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Frederick accumulating 108 claims and carrying 67% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Frederick has a moderate flood history with 108 FEMA claims averaging $6,527 per payout. 67% 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>$2,650</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 Frederick
- 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. Filters rated for Contaminant 2020 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Frederick's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 36% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Frederick, MD