Snow Hill, MD: 1 Health Violation — 89/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Snow Hill, safety indicators for tap water remain above the MD median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Snow Hill Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Snow Hill Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 69% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.1 — above typical levels.
Snow Hill's Water Providers
The structure of water supply in Snow Hill, MD is straightforward: one utility provides the bulk of residential service among 1 tracked system, concentrating rate-setting and infrastructure decisions under a single organization.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Snow Hill, Maryland, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 5,202 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Snow Hill: A (89/100)
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
Snow Hill water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21863 | A | 2 | 1 | Town of Snow Hill |
All ZIP Codes in Snow Hill
- 21863 [A] — 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.
Snow Hill 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 Snow Hill's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Snow Hill Infrastructure Age
With 69% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Snow Hill's median build year of 1974 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Snow Hill 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 Snow Hill
Because property values in Snow Hill comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Snow Hill are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$2,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 43% below the Maryland average.
Snow Hill: 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.
Older stock in Snow Hill represents 69% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Snow Hill: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Snow Hill, that record documents 28 claims and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Snow Hill has a moderate flood history with 28 FEMA claims averaging $5,434 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>$1,500</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 Snow Hill, MD