Princess Anne, MD Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water monitoring in Princess Anne shows a safety record well above the MD median — health-based violations are isolated exceptions rather than recurring patterns, the city's systems have stayed compliant across recent reporting cycles, and no cluster of recurring exceedances appears in any single service area.
How Princess Anne Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Princess Anne Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0031 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.73 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Princess Anne
Water supply in Princess Anne, MD follows a divided structure: 2 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 2 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Princess Anne, Maryland, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 11,161 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Princess Anne — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Princess Anne: B (73/100)
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
Princess Anne water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0031 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21853 | B | Town of Princess Anne | 3,300 |
All ZIP Codes in Princess Anne
- 21853 [B]
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 Princess Anne
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 Princess Anne's Housing Stock?
With 45% 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
Development in Princess Anne unfolded across multiple decades, and the median build year of 1999 reflects a housing inventory where eras of construction are genuinely mixed — including portions that predate the federal prohibition on lead solder in plumbing.
Most homes in Princess Anne 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.
Princess Anne: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Princess Anne, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Princess Anne are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 61% below the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Princess Anne
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.
Wherever 45% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Princess Anne — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Princess Anne
Flood history in Princess Anne spans 96 NFIP claims and 100% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Princess Anne has a moderate flood history with 96 FEMA claims averaging $11,690 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>$1,600</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 Princess Anne, MD