Poolesville, MD: 2 Violations — 68/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems across Poolesville produce average compliance results for MD overall — pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.
How Poolesville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Poolesville Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 52% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.24.
Poolesville's Water Providers
Federal records list 1 water system serving Poolesville, MD. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Poolesville, Maryland, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 6,605 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Poolesville: C (68/100)
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
Poolesville water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20837 | C | 2 | 0 | Town of Poolesville |
All ZIP Codes in Poolesville
- 20837 [C] — 2 violations
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.
Poolesville Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Poolesville's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Poolesville Infrastructure Age
With 52% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Poolesville — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1986 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Poolesville 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Poolesville
The household financial picture for Poolesville homeowners is proportionally favorable — addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in Poolesville are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 64% above the Maryland average.
Poolesville: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 52% of Poolesville stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Poolesville: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
How does Poolesville's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 3 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Poolesville has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $766 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>$3,000</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 Poolesville
- 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. Filters rated for Nickel can reduce the most common contaminant found in Poolesville's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 52% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Poolesville, MD