Upper Falls, MD: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in MD, Upper Falls records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Upper Falls Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Upper Falls Water
- Homes built before 1986: 85% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.61 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Upper Falls
Water service in Upper Falls, MD is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Upper Falls, Maryland (population ~297), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 104,567 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Upper Falls — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Upper Falls: D (40/100)
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
Upper Falls water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Upper Falls
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21156 | D | HARFORD COUNTY D.P.W. | 104,567 |
All ZIP Codes in Upper Falls
- 21156 [D]
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.
Health Outcomes in Upper Falls
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Upper Falls
With 85% 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
The median home in Upper Falls was built in 1953 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Upper Falls 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Upper Falls Homeowners
In Upper Falls, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Upper Falls are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$2,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 14% above the Maryland average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Upper Falls
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Upper Falls have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 85% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Upper Falls
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 85% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Upper Falls, MD