Water Quality in Middle River, MD: 9 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems
1 water system · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 9 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Middle River. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Middle River
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21220 | 9 | 2 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Middle River.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 |
Water Quality Overview
Middle River, Maryland has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 9 violations, including 2 health-based violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Middle River is 0.0027 mg/L; the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to a water system's own 90th-percentile result and is not a safety threshold (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 57% of homes built before 1986, Middle River has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Middle River
Middle River is served by 1 community water system regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 42,936 people live in the area (1 ZIP code, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
EPA records list 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Middle River. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Middle River
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Middle River Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Middle River's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
The standard column shows the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) except for lead and copper, whose value is an action level that triggers corrective steps and is not an MCL. Health-based violations are MCL, MRDL and treatment-technique violations.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Middle River:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Middle River. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-12 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-12 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-07-02 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-07-09 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-04-25 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-03-29 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-03-29 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-03-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-03-28 | State Informal Enforcement |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-12.
Middle River vs. Nearby Maryland Cities
How Middle River's water quality compares to similar cities in Maryland:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle River | 1 | 9 | 1 | 42,936 |
| Lanham | 1 | 0 | 1 | 43,225 |
| Essex | 1 | 9 | 1 | 43,536 |
| Cumberland | 1 | 0 | 4 | 41,810 |
Common Questions About Middle River Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Middle River, Maryland:
Is Middle River water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Middle River's 1 water system uses a single source. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Middle River tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 2 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Middle River? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Middle River vs. Maryland Average
Understanding how Middle River compares to the broader Maryland average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Middle River.
ZIP Codes in Middle River
Middle River spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.