Indian Head, MD: 1 Violation — 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Indian Head have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in MD reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Indian Head Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Indian Head Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: -0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 61% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.16 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Indian Head
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Indian Head, MD — out of 6 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Indian Head, Maryland (population ~10,254), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 15,599 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Indian Head: B (83/100)
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
Indian Head water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): -0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20640 | B | 1 | 0 | Town of Indian Head |
All ZIP Codes in Indian Head
- 20640 [B] — 1 violation
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 Indian Head
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
Top Contaminants in Indian Head Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Indian Head
With 61% 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 Indian Head, where the median build year is 1977, 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 Indian Head 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 Indian Head Homeowners
Property equity in Indian Head runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Indian Head are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 28% below the Maryland average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Indian Head
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 61% of Indian Head stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Indian Head
Taken together, Indian Head's 8 NFIP flood insurance claims and 100% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Indian Head has a moderate flood history with 8 FEMA claims averaging $6,281 per payout. 100% 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>$1,600</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Indian Head, MD