Baltimore City Water Quality: 224 Violations (MD)

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Water Quality Overview

Baltimore City has 4 community water systems across 23 directly mapped ZIP records. The systems report serving approximately 1,601,151 people. The available records contain 224 EPA violations, including 49 health-based violations.

Health-based violations account for 22% of all violations in Baltimore City. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health.

Violation Breakdown

Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report.

Cities with Most Violations

Violation Trend

Year-by-year EPA violations across water systems in Baltimore City:

Most Common Contaminants

Water Data and the Home Safety Score

This page reports EPA water-system facts without converting the broader Home Safety Score into a drinking-water grade. The county Home Safety grade (C) is a separate multi-source index that also requires PFAS screening, radon, and annual air-quality evidence. Check each ZIP report for the versioned score and its component coverage.

Water Systems in Baltimore City

Baltimore City is served by 4 community water systems, averaging 0.1 systems per ZIP code. Each system is independently regulated and tested by the EPA. Larger systems serving more people typically have more extensive monitoring requirements.

Water systems in Baltimore City source water from a mix of surface water (rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells, aquifers). Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be detected.

How to Check Your Water in Baltimore City

1. Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water-system data including contaminant levels and violation history; the Home Safety Score is shown separately with its model version

2. Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report

3. Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400) can detect contaminants not covered by routine testing

4. Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area

5. Check for lead — homes built before 1986 should test for lead regardless of utility compliance

EPA Enforcement

The EPA and state regulators have taken 230 enforcement actions against water systems in Baltimore City. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance and administrative orders to formal penalties. Systems under enforcement are required to remediate violations and may face ongoing monitoring requirements.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Enforcement: EPA ECHO

Source publication schedules vary. See the page source and verification fields for available timing evidence.

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