Ocean City, MD: 4 Health Violations — 83/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Looking at federal monitoring data for Ocean City, MD: the city clears benchmarks set under the Safe Drinking Water Act with room to spare — recorded exceedances are rare, and the systems serving local households have not triggered any pattern of repeat deficiencies in recent cycles.
How Ocean City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Ocean City Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 22 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0028 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.1 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Ocean City
Ocean City, MD draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 7 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Ocean City, Maryland (population ~11,121), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 37,072 people region-wide.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ocean City: 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
Ocean City water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0028 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 2 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 15 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 2 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 2 |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 3 | 2 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21842 | B | 11 | 2 | Town of Ocean City |
| 21843 | A | 11 | 2 | Town of Ocean City |
All ZIP Codes in Ocean City
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 Ocean City
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Ocean City
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Ocean City: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Ocean City, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Ocean City are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$2,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 3% below the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ocean City
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 Ocean City 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Ocean City
The NFIP record for Ocean City is not ambiguous: 1915 claims filed and 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood territory add up to a substantial flood exposure profile. For a water quality assessment, that profile matters because flooding doesn't just damage property — it can temporarily compromise the systems that deliver safe drinking water, from overwhelmed treatment plants to infiltrated private wells to backflow events in distribution infrastructure.
Ocean City has a significant flood history with 1,915 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $7,313 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>$1,500</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 Ocean City, MD