Data source: EPA SDWIS, U.S. Census Bureau, FEMA NFIP Last verified: 2026-06-03

The Baltimore metropolitan area spans Maryland and includes 160 ZIP codes served by 56 community water systems. We analyzed EPA compliance records, lead testing data, housing age, flood insurance claims, and radon risk for every ZIP in the metro to produce this report.

Metro-Wide Safety Score: C (59/100)

The Home Safety Score combines water quality, lead risk, radon exposure, and flood risk into a single 0-100 rating.

Grade Distribution

Grade	ZIP Codes	Percentage
A	1	1%
B	11	7%
C	101	64%
D	45	28%
F	1	1%

29% of ZIP codes scored D or F, indicating widespread safety concerns homebuyers should investigate before purchasing.

Safest Neighborhoods (Top 10 ZIPs)

The safest ZIP code is 21203 in Baltimore with a score of 93/100. These areas typically have newer infrastructure, fewer EPA violations, and lower environmental risk factors.

Highest-Risk Neighborhoods (Bottom 10 ZIPs)

If you are considering a home in these ZIP codes, we recommend requesting a water quality test, checking for lead service lines, and reviewing the full ZIP report before making an offer.

Most Common Contaminant Violations

1 of the top contaminants are health-based violations, meaning measured levels exceeded EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).

Lead Risk Overview

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0028 mg/L (below EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L)
• 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
• 23% of housing built before 1950 (highest lead paint risk)
• 36% of housing built before 1970 (lead solder in plumbing)
• 67% of housing built before 1986 (potential lead pipes)

With over half of homes built before 1986, lead plumbing components are common. Running cold water for 30 seconds before drinking can reduce lead exposure from older pipes.

Flood Risk

• 6,614 FEMA flood insurance claims filed
• 109 ZIP codes with flood claims (68% of metro)
• $20,034 average payout per claim
• $132,507,785 total payouts

Water System Comparison

The Baltimore metro is served by 56 community water systems, drawing from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Major water systems include:

• Bark Hill
• Broad Creek
• Campus Hills Water Works
• Cedar Mobile Home Park
• Chapel Hill - Aberdeen Proving Grounds
• CITY OF ABERDEEN
• CITY OF ANNAPOLIS
• City of Baltimore
• City of Havre De Grace
• City of Westminster
• ...and 46 more systems

Water quality can vary significantly between systems. Always check the ZIP-level report for your specific address.

Radon Risk

Zone	Risk Level	ZIP Codes	Percentage
Zone 1	High	90	56%
Zone 2	Moderate	65	41%
Zone 3	Low	4	3%

A significant portion of the Baltimore metro falls in EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk). The EPA recommends all homes in Zone 1 be tested for radon — a $150-200 test that could prevent long-term health issues.

Is Baltimore Safe for Homebuyers?

Positive indicators: no ZIP codes exceed EPA lead action level.

Areas of concern: 119 health-based EPA violations on record; significant radon exposure in 56% of ZIP codes.

Safety conditions vary widely within the metro. A ZIP code with an A grade may be just a few miles from one rated F. Always check your specific ZIP code before making a purchase decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the water quality safety grade for the Baltimore metro area?

The Baltimore metro area has an average Home Safety Score of 59/100 (grade C). This score is based on EPA violation records, lead testing data, radon risk, and flood exposure across 160 ZIP codes.

How many EPA water violations are in the Baltimore area?

There are 646 total EPA violations across the Baltimore metro, with 119 being health-based violations. 72 out of 160 ZIP codes (45%) have at least one recorded violation.

Is the tap water safe to drink in Baltimore?

Water safety varies by ZIP code and water system. No ZIP codes currently exceed EPA lead action levels. The average lead level is 0.0028 mg/L (EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L). Check your specific ZIP code for a detailed report.

What percentage of homes in Baltimore have lead risk?

Approximately 67% of housing in the Baltimore metro was built before 1986, when lead pipes were still legal. 23% was built before 1950, the highest-risk category for lead paint. Homes in older neighborhoods should be tested for lead in both water and paint.

What is the flood risk in the Baltimore metro?

The Baltimore metro has recorded 6,614 FEMA flood insurance claims across 109 ZIP codes, with an average payout of $20,034 per claim. Check the FEMA flood map for your specific property.

Cities in the Baltimore Metro

• Baltimore, MD — 50 ZIP codes
• Ellicott City, MD — 3 ZIP codes
• Columbia, MD — 3 ZIP codes
• Glen Burnie, MD — 3 ZIP codes
• Towson, MD — 3 ZIP codes
• Bel Air, MD — 2 ZIP codes
• Hunt Valley, MD — 2 ZIP codes
• Lutherville Timonium, MD — 2 ZIP codes
• Pasadena, MD — 2 ZIP codes
• Westminster, MD — 2 ZIP codes
• Aberdeen, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Abingdon, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Gunpowder, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Arnold, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Baldwin, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Belcamp, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Benson, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Boring, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Brooklandville, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Butler, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Chase, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Churchville, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Clarksville, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Cockeysville, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Crownsville, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Darlington, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Davidsonville, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Dayton, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Edgewater, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Edgewood, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Fallston, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Finksburg, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Forest Hill, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Fork, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Fort Howard, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Freeland, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Gambrills, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Gibson Island, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Glen Arm, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Glyndon, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Hampstead, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Elkridge, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Hanover, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Harmans, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Havre De Grace, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Hydes, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Jarrettsville, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Joppa, MD — 1 ZIP codes
• Kingsville, MD — 1 ZIP codes

...and 47 more cities. Browse all via city directory.

All 160 ZIP Codes

View all ZIP codes in the Baltimore metro

• 21001 Aberdeen [C]
• 21005 Aberdeen Proving Ground [D]
• 21009 Abingdon [C] — 2 violations
• 21010 Gunpowder [D]
• 21012 Arnold [D]
• 21013 Baldwin [D]
• 21014 Bel Air [C] — 1 violation
• 21015 Bel Air [C] — 1 violation
• 21017 Belcamp [D]
• 21018 Benson [D]
• 21020 Boring [D]
• 21022 Brooklandville [C]
• 21023 Butler [D]
• 21027 Chase [D]
• 21028 Churchville [C]
• 21029 Clarksville [D]
• 21030 Cockeysville [D]
• 21031 Hunt Valley [D]
• 21032 Crownsville [C]
• 21034 Darlington [C] — 8 violations
• 21035 Davidsonville [C]
• 21036 Dayton [D]
• 21037 Edgewater [D]
• 21040 Edgewood [D]
• 21041 Ellicott City [C] — 5 violations
• 21042 Ellicott City [C] — 5 violations
• 21043 Ellicott City [D] — 5 violations
• 21044 Columbia [C] — 6 violations
• 21045 Columbia [C] — 6 violations
• 21046 Columbia [C] — 6 violations
• 21047 Fallston [C]
• 21048 Finksburg [B]
• 21050 Forest Hill [C]
• 21051 Fork [C]
• 21052 Fort Howard [C]
• 21053 Freeland [C] — 5 violations
• 21054 Gambrills [B] — 3 violations
• 21056 Gibson Island [C]
• 21057 Glen Arm [C] — 8 violations
• 21060 Glen Burnie [C]
• 21061 Glen Burnie [C]
• 21062 Glen Burnie [D]
• 21065 Hunt Valley [D]
• 21071 Glyndon [D]
• 21074 Hampstead [C]
• 21075 Elkridge [C]
• 21076 Hanover [C]
• 21077 Harmans [C]
• 21078 Havre De Grace [C] — 7 violations
• 21081
• 21082 Hydes [D]
• 21084 Jarrettsville [C]
• 21085 Joppa [D]
• 21087 Kingsville [C]
• 21088 Lineboro [D]
• 21090 Linthicum Heights [B] — 3 violations
• 21092 Long Green [D]
• 21093 Lutherville Timonium [D]
• 21094 Lutherville Timonium [C]
• 21102 Manchester [B]
• 21104 Marriottsville [D]
• 21105 Maryland Line [C]
• 21106 Mayo [D]
• 21108 Millersville [B] — 5 violations
• 21111 Monkton [C]
• 21113 Odenton [C]
• 21114 Crofton [B]
• 21117 Owings Mills [D]
• 21120 Parkton [C]
• 21122 Pasadena [F]
• 21123 Pasadena [D]
• 21128 Perry Hall [C]
• 21130 Perryman [D]
• 21131 Phoenix [C]
• 21132 Pylesville [C]
• 21133 Randallstown [C]
• 21136 Reisterstown [D]
• 21139 Riderwood [C]
• 21140 Riva [C]
• 21144 Severn [B] — 2 violations
• 21146 Severna Park [B] — 3 violations
• 21150 Simpsonville [D]
• 21152 Sparks Glencoe [C]
• 21153 Stevenson [C] — 4 violations
• 21154 Street [B] — 1 violation
• 21155 Upperco [D]
• 21156 Upper Falls [D]
• 21157 Westminster [C] — 5 violations
• 21158 Westminster [C] — 5 violations
• 21160 Whiteford [D]
• 21161 White Hall [B]
• 21162 White Marsh [C]
• 21163 Woodstock [D]
• 21201 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21202 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21203 Baltimore [A] — 11 violations
• 21204 Towson [D]
• 21205 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21206 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21207 Gwynn Oak [D]
• 21208 Pikesville [D]
• 21209 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21210 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21211 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21212 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21213 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21214 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21215 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21216 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21217 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21218 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21219 Sparrows Point [D]
• 21220 Middle River [D]
• 21221 Essex [D]
• 21222 Dundalk [D]
• 21223 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21224 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21225 Brooklyn [C]
• 21226 Curtis Bay [C]
• 21227 Halethorpe [D]
• 21228 Catonsville [D]
• 21229 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21230 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21231 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21233 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21234 Parkville [C]
• 21235 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21236 Nottingham [C]
• 21237 Rosedale [C]
• 21239 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21240 Baltimore [B] — 11 violations
• 21241 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21244 Windsor Mill [C]
• 21250 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21251 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21252 Towson [D]
• 21260 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21263 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21264 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21265 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21268 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21270 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21273 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21274 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21275 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21278 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21279 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21280 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21281 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21282 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21283 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21284 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21285 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21286 Towson [C]
• 21287 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21288 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21289 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21290 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21297 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations
• 21298 Baltimore [C] — 11 violations

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood risk: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.