Baltimore County Water Quality: 534 Violations (MD)

Concerned about water quality in Baltimore County?

Get connected with a certified testing service.

Water Quality Overview

Baltimore County has 12 community water systems serving approximately 108,569,287 people across 73 ZIP codes. These systems have accumulated 534 EPA violations, including 99 health-based violations.

Health-based violations account for 19% of all violations in Baltimore County. 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 County:

Most Common Contaminants

Understanding Water Quality Scores

Each ZIP code in Baltimore County receives a safety score from 0-100 based on EPA compliance data. Scores factor in the number and severity of violations, with health-based violations weighted more heavily than monitoring failures. Resolved violations (where the system returned to compliance) receive reduced weight in the scoring.

The county-level grade (C) represents the average across all 73 ZIP codes. Individual ZIP codes may vary significantly — a county with a B grade may contain both A-rated and D-rated areas.

Water Systems in Baltimore County

Baltimore County is served by 12 community water systems, averaging 0.2 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 County 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 County

1. Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water system data including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores

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 506 enforcement actions against water systems in Baltimore County. 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

Updated daily.

Not sure if your water needs a filter?

Our free tool matches your ZIP code data to the right filtration system — based on actual contaminants detected in your area.