Worst Infrastructure: Maryland — 2026 Rankings

Out of 565 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Maryland, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	565
Highest risk	68%
Median risk	38%
Average risk	39%
State	Maryland

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	21641	Hillsboro	MD	68%	Very High	73/100
2	21667	Still Pond	MD	68%	Very High	66/100
3	21672	Toddville	MD	67%	Very High	60/100
4	21675	Wingate	MD	67%	Very High	65/100
5	20812	Glen Echo	MD	65%	Very High	53/100
6	20722	Brentwood	MD	62%	Very High	45/100
7	20712	Mount Rainier	MD	61%	Very High	53/100
8	20896	Garrett Park	MD	61%	Very High	53/100
9	20880	Washington Grove	MD	60%	High	40/100
10	20912	Takoma Park	MD	60%	High	53/100
11	21071	Glyndon	MD	60%	High	53/100
12	21634	Fishing Creek	MD	60%	High	40/100
13	21610	Betterton	MD	59%	High	99/100
14	21626	Crapo	MD	59%	High	65/100
15	20612	Benedict	MD	58%	High	45/100
16	20868	Spencerville	MD	58%	High	40/100
17	21627	Crocheron	MD	58%	High	73/100
18	21778	Rocky Ridge	MD	58%	High	40/100
19	21824	Ewell	MD	58%	High	55/100
20	21914	Charlestown	MD	58%	High	55/100
21	20895	Kensington	MD	57%	High	45/100
22	21105	Maryland Line	MD	57%	High	66/100
23	21622	Church Creek	MD	57%	High	60/100
24	21762	Libertytown	MD	57%	High	40/100
25	20742	College Park	MD	56%	High	40/100
26	21529	Ellerslie	MD	56%	High	55/100
27	21791	Union Bridge	MD	56%	High	70/100
28	20737	Riverdale	MD	55%	High	40/100
29	20781	Hyattsville	MD	55%	High	45/100
30	21225	Brooklyn	MD	55%	High	55/100
31	21524	Corriganville	MD	55%	High	55/100
32	21540	Luke	MD	55%	High	83/100
33	21542	Midland	MD	55%	High	55/100
34	21829	Girdletree	MD	55%	High	73/100
35	20710	Bladensburg	MD	54%	High	53/100
36	20779	Tracys Landing	MD	54%	High	63/100
37	20782	Hyattsville	MD	54%	High	40/100
38	20815	Chevy Chase	MD	54%	High	45/100
39	20853	Rockville	MD	54%	High	45/100
40	21010	Gunpowder	MD	54%	High	40/100
41	21216	Baltimore	MD	54%	High	63/100
42	21217	Baltimore	MD	54%	High	68/100
43	21532	Frostburg	MD	54%	High	55/100
44	21562	Westernport	MD	54%	High	63/100
45	21867	Upper Fairmount	MD	54%	High	55/100
46	20783	Hyattsville	MD	53%	High	45/100
47	20851	Rockville	MD	53%	High	53/100
48	20901	Silver Spring	MD	53%	High	57/100
49	21213	Baltimore	MD	53%	High	63/100
50	21214	Baltimore	MD	53%	High	63/100
51	21218	Baltimore	MD	53%	High	63/100
52	21223	Baltimore	MD	53%	High	63/100
53	21521	Barton	MD	53%	High	55/100
54	21530	Flintstone	MD	53%	High	63/100
55	21543	Midlothian	MD	53%	High	82/100
56	21664	Secretary	MD	53%	High	95/100
57	21718	Burkittsville	MD	53%	High	40/100
58	21734	Funkstown	MD	53%	High	57/100
59	21930	Georgetown	MD	53%	High	63/100
60	21402	Annapolis	MD	52%	High	83/100
61	21502	Cumberland	MD	52%	High	73/100
62	21539	Lonaconing	MD	52%	High	75/100
63	21648	Madison	MD	52%	High	60/100
64	20680	Ridge	MD	51%	High	55/100
65	21155	Upperco	MD	51%	High	40/100
66	21205	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	68/100
67	21210	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	63/100
68	21211	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	58/100
69	21212	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	63/100
70	21215	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	58/100
71	21222	Dundalk	MD	51%	High	45/100
72	21224	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	63/100
73	21733	Fairplay	MD	51%	High	40/100
74	21840	Nanticoke	MD	51%	High	55/100
75	20816	Bethesda	MD	50%	High	65/100
76	20838	Barnesville	MD	50%	High	66/100
77	21227	Halethorpe	MD	50%	High	50/100
78	21229	Baltimore	MD	50%	High	58/100
79	21717	Buckeystown	MD	50%	High	53/100
80	21767	Maugansville	MD	50%	High	40/100
81	21814	Bivalve	MD	50%	High	63/100
82	21903	Perryville	MD	50%	High	59/100
83	20765	Galesville	MD	49%	High	55/100
84	20770	Greenbelt	MD	49%	High	53/100
85	21090	Linthicum Heights	MD	49%	High	77/100
86	21207	Gwynn Oak	MD	49%	High	50/100
87	21226	Curtis Bay	MD	49%	High	63/100
88	21650	Massey	MD	49%	High	66/100
89	21652	Neavitt	MD	49%	High	55/100
90	21922	Elkton	MD	49%	High	76/100
91	20628	Dameron	MD	48%	High	55/100
92	21061	Glen Burnie	MD	48%	High	55/100
93	21206	Baltimore	MD	48%	High	63/100
94	21230	Baltimore	MD	48%	High	58/100
95	21239	Baltimore	MD	48%	High	63/100
96	21647	Mcdaniel	MD	48%	High	73/100
97	21719	Cascade	MD	48%	High	32/100
98	21915	Chesapeake City	MD	48%	High	70/100
99	20740	College Park	MD	47%	High	45/100
100	20818	Cabin John	MD	47%	High	45/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.