Glen Burnie, MD Water Safety: 54/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Glen Burnie, MD: water systems collectively below average — violations documented.
How Glen Burnie Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Glen Burnie Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.75.
Water Systems Serving Glen Burnie
In Glen Burnie, MD, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 3 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Glen Burnie, Maryland (population ~95,678), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 1,925,606 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Glen Burnie — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Glen Burnie: D (54/100)
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
Glen Burnie water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Glen Burnie
- 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): 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21060 | C | Glen Burnie-broadneck | 290,606 |
| 21061 | C | Glen Burnie-broadneck | 290,606 |
| 21062 | D | CITY OF ANNAPOLIS | 35,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Glen Burnie
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 Glen Burnie
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 Glen Burnie's Housing Stock?
With 63% 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
Glen Burnie's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1981 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Glen Burnie 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.
Glen Burnie: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Glen Burnie market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Glen Burnie are relatively low compared to home values. The $533–$2,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 17% below the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Glen Burnie
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 Glen Burnie — 63% 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 Glen Burnie
Flood exposure in Glen Burnie is meaningful by NFIP measures — 92 claims on record and 67% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Glen Burnie has a moderate flood history with 92 FEMA claims averaging $8,165 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>$1,200</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 Glen Burnie
- 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. With 63% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- 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 Glen Burnie, MD