Silver Spring, MD: middle-tier water safety by the latest federal monitoring.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04

Water Quality Map: Silver Spring, MD

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 16 ZIP codes in Silver Spring, Maryland (population ~307,872), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,901,248 people region-wide.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Silver Spring — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Silver Spring: C (56/100)

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

Silver Spring water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

• Lead data: not yet available for Silver Spring
• 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 16 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Areas with No Violations

All ZIP Codes in Silver Spring

• 20901 [C]
• 20902 [D]
• 20903 [C]
• 20904 [C]
• 20905 [C]
• 20906 [D]
• 20907 [C]
• 20908 [C]
• 20910 [C]
• 20911 [C]
• 20914 [C]
• 20915 [C]
• 20916 [C]
• 20918 [C]
• 20993 [C]
• 20997 [C]

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.

Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Silver Spring Homeowners

For most homeowners in Silver Spring, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.

Median Home Value

$533,500

Est. Remediation

$2,069

Remediation as % of home value 0.4%

Remediation costs in Silver Spring are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,356–$2,838 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 25% above the Maryland average.

Flood & Climate Risk in Silver Spring

Flood risk in Silver Spring occupies the middle ground: 208 NFIP claims and 44% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.

208

Total FEMA Flood Claims

$3,382

Avg Claim Payout

44%

ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

~10

Est. Claims/Year

Silver Spring has a moderate flood history with 208 FEMA claims averaging $3,382 per payout. 44% 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>$2,069</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.