Hyattsville, MD: High Radon Risk — 46/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water compliance in Hyattsville falls below the MD baseline — elevated violation rates are on record.
How Hyattsville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Hyattsville, MD
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Hyattsville score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Hyattsville Water
- Homes built before 1986: 78% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,257 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.05 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Hyattsville
Water service in Hyattsville, 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 7 ZIP codes in Hyattsville, Maryland (population ~172,030), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 1,926,248 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Hyattsville — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hyattsville: D (46/100)
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
Hyattsville water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Hyattsville
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20781 | D | WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION | 1,900,000 |
| 20782 | D | WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION | 1,900,000 |
| 20783 | D | WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION | 1,900,000 |
| 20784 | C | WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION | 1,900,000 |
| 20785 | C | WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION | 1,900,000 |
| 20787 | D | FAIRLAND CROSSING APARTMENTS | 1,248 |
| 20788 | D | FAIRLAND CROSSING APARTMENTS | 1,248 |
All ZIP Codes in Hyattsville
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 Hyattsville
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Hyattsville
With 78% 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
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Hyattsville, where the median build year is 1965, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Hyattsville 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Hyattsville Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Hyattsville picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Hyattsville are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,400–$3,271 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 6% below the Maryland average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Hyattsville
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 78% of Hyattsville stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Hyattsville
Flood history in Hyattsville spans 240 NFIP claims and 71% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Hyattsville has a moderate flood history with 240 FEMA claims averaging $6,579 per payout. 71% 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>$2,257</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 Hyattsville
- 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 78% 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 Hyattsville, MD