Middle River, MD Water Safety: 45/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Middle River has lagged behind MD benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Middle River Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Middle River Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 57% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.61 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Middle River
Middle River, MD draws its water from one primary utility across 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Middle River, Maryland (population ~42,936), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,600,000 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Middle River — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Middle River: D (45/100)
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
Middle River water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Middle River
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21220 | D | CITY OF BALTIMORE | 1,600,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Middle River
- 21220 [D]
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 Middle River
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 Middle River's Housing Stock?
With 57% 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
Reading the housing age data for Middle River — median build year 1989 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Middle River 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.
Middle River: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Middle River are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Middle River are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,500–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 35% below the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Middle River
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.
57% of Middle River housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Middle River
Decades of documented flood activity appear in Middle River's NFIP record — 923 insurance claims filed and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood designations. The scale of that record puts water infrastructure vulnerability from flooding into the concrete-risk category.
Middle River has a significant flood history with 923 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $25,787 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,700</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 Middle River
- 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 57% 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 Middle River, MD