Owings Mills, MD: High Radon Risk — 45/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring data from Owings Mills, MD tells a below-average story — health violations are present and system-level detail is worth reviewing before drawing conclusions.
How Owings Mills Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Owings Mills Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 36% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.61 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Owings Mills
At present, 2 utilities serve the bulk of Owings Mills, MD's residential water connections out of 2 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Owings Mills, Maryland (population ~61,337), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,600,040 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Owings Mills — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Owings Mills: 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
Owings Mills water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Owings Mills
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21117 | D | CITY OF BALTIMORE | 1,600,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Owings Mills
- 21117 [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 Owings Mills
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 Owings Mills's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
With a median build year of 1996, Owings Mills's housing stock reflects a city built across multiple eras. A substantial share of homes predate 1986 — the year lead solder in plumbing was federally banned — meaning the risk from plumbing materials is unevenly distributed across the city's neighborhoods and property types.
Most homes in Owings Mills were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Owings Mills: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Owings Mills lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Owings Mills are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,900–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 13% below the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Owings Mills
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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted — but 36% of the Owings Mills inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Owings Mills
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Owings Mills has accumulated 30 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Owings Mills has a moderate flood history with 30 FEMA claims averaging $16,896 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>$2,900</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 Owings Mills
- 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 36% 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 Owings Mills, MD