Laurel, MD Water Safety: 78/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Laurel, safety indicators for tap water remain above the MD median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Laurel Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Laurel, MD
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Laurel score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Laurel Water
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,543 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.51 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Laurel
Residential water in Laurel, MD is supplied by 3 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 3 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Laurel, Maryland (population ~118,136), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 2,476,764 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Laurel — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Laurel: B (78/100)
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
Laurel water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20707 | B | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
| 20708 | B | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
| 20709 | B | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
| 20723 | C | Howard County D.p.w. Distribution | 286,158 |
| 20724 | B | Glen Burnie-broadneck | 290,606 |
| 20725 | B | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
| 20726 | B | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 1,900,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Laurel
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 Laurel
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
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Laurel Homeowners
How much of a Laurel home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Laurel are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,700–$3,543 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 1% above the Maryland average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Laurel
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.
Lead risk in Laurel appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Laurel
Taken together, Laurel's 71 NFIP flood insurance claims and 71% 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.
Laurel has a moderate flood history with 71 FEMA claims averaging $21,427 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>$2,543</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 Laurel, MD