Ridgely, MD: 20 Violations — 96/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Ridgely, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above MD's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How Ridgely Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Ridgely Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 20 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.24 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Ridgely
At present, 2 utilities serve the bulk of Ridgely, 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 4 ZIP codes in Ridgely, Maryland, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 4,244 people.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ridgely: A (96/100)
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
Ridgely water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 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): 4 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 10 | 4 |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 5 | 4 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21660 | A | 5 | 0 | Town of Ridgely |
| 21682 | A | 5 | 0 | Town of Ridgely |
| 21683 | A | 5 | 0 | Town of Ridgely |
| 21688 | A | 5 | 0 | Town of Ridgely |
All ZIP Codes in Ridgely
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 Ridgely
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 Ridgely
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Ridgely: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Ridgely, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Ridgely are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 25% below the Maryland average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ridgely
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 Ridgely 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 Ridgely
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Ridgely has accumulated 2 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 25% 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.
Ridgely has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims. 25% 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>$1,800</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 Ridgely, MD