Radium in Maryland Drinking Water — 27 ZIPs Tested
EPA data analysis for radium in Maryland drinking water systems
Radium Contamination in Maryland
ZipCheckup analyzed drinking water data across 615 ZIP codes in Maryland for radium contamination. 27 ZIP codes have reported radium detections, and 2 have EPA violations on record.
The violation rate for radium in Maryland is 0.3% of all ZIP codes — lower than the national average.
EPA Standard for Radium
The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for radium is 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228), governed by the Radionuclides Rule. Water systems that exceed this limit must take corrective action and notify consumers.
Worst ZIP Codes for Radium in Maryland
These ZIP codes reported the highest radium levels in Maryland based on CCR reports and EPA data:
Lowest Radium Levels in Maryland
These ZIP codes had the lowest reported radium detections in Maryland:
Health Effects of Radium
Radium is a radioactive element that increases cancer risk, particularly bone cancer. It accumulates in bones because the body treats it like calcium. The EPA estimates that drinking water with 5 pCi/L of radium over a lifetime poses a 1 in 10,000 cancer risk.
How to Remove Radium From Drinking Water
The most effective treatment for radium removal is Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange. Look for filters certified under NSF 58 standards.
Check Your ZIP Code
Use the ZipCheckup water quality search to see radium data for your specific water system in Maryland.
Worst ZIP Codes for Radium in Maryland
Ranked by highest radium detection level.
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | Level Detected | EPA Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20754 | Dunkirk | 4.9 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 2 | 20779 | Tracys Landing | 4.9 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 3 | 20810 | Bethesda | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 4 | 20811 | Bethesda | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 5 | 20813 | Bethesda | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 6 | 20824 | Bethesda | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 7 | 20825 | Chevy Chase | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 8 | 20827 | Bethesda | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 9 | 20848 | Rockville | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 10 | 20875 | Germantown | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 11 | 20884 | Gaithersburg | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 12 | 20885 | Gaithersburg | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 13 | 20897 | Suburb Maryland Fac | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 14 | 20898 | Gaithersburg | 4 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 15 | 21841 | Newark | 3.6 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 16 | 21920 | Elk Mills | 3.6 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 17 | 20604 | Waldorf | 3.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 18 | 20611 | Bel Alton | 3.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 19 | 20617 | Bryantown | 3.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 20 | 20677 | Port Tobacco | 3.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
Lowest Radium Levels in Maryland
Cities with Radium Data in Maryland
13 cities in Maryland have radium testing data available.