Frederick, MD: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 62/100
6 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Frederick: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Available records for Frederick give it a middle-tier grade in MD; water systems can differ, so check the one that serves your home.
How Frederick Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Frederick Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0022 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 36% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.57.
Frederick's Water Providers
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 3 shown below do not apply to the others among the 8 tied to Frederick, MD.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Frederick, Maryland, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 150,170 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 5 of 6 ZIP codes.
4 of 5 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (80%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Frederick: C (62/100)
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
Frederick water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0022 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 5 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
6 of 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toxaphene | Organic | 9 | 4 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Chlordane | Organic | 2 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21702 | C | 4 | 1 | City of Frederick |
| 21701 | C | 3 | 0 | City of Frederick |
| 21703 | D | 2 | 0 | New Design - Frederick County |
| 21704 | C | 2 | 0 | New Design - Frederick County |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21705 | — | City of Frederick | 54,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Frederick
- 21701 [C] - 3 violations
- 21702 [C] - 4 violations ⚠
- 21703 [D] - 2 violations
- 21704 [C] - 2 violations
- 21705
- 21709
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.
Frederick Community Health Snapshot
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
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
1992 is the median build year in Frederick, and the age breakdown below shows how much of the housing predates 1986.
Most homes in Frederick 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Frederick
In Frederick, estimated remediation comes to 1% or less of the median home value.
Estimated remediation costs in Frederick can be compared with local home values. The $363–$950 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 5% below the Maryland average.
Frederick: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Frederick: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Frederick contains 108 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $8,147. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 50% 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 $600 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 Frederick
- 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 Toxaphene, listed in the water-quality records for Frederick: 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 36% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Frederick, MD