Worst Infrastructure: Maryland — 2026 Rankings

Out of 512 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	512
Highest risk	58%
Median risk	35%
Average risk	36%
State	Maryland

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	20612	Benedict	MD	58%	High	45/100
2	21105	Maryland Line	MD	58%	High	66/100
3	21071	Glyndon	MD	55%	High	53/100
4	21216	Baltimore	MD	54%	High	63/100
5	21217	Baltimore	MD	54%	High	68/100
6	21213	Baltimore	MD	53%	High	63/100
7	21214	Baltimore	MD	53%	High	63/100
8	21218	Baltimore	MD	53%	High	63/100
9	21223	Baltimore	MD	53%	High	63/100
10	21641	Hillsboro	MD	53%	High	73/100
11	21667	Still Pond	MD	53%	High	66/100
12	21672	Toddville	MD	53%	High	60/100
13	21675	Wingate	MD	53%	High	65/100
14	21718	Burkittsville	MD	53%	High	40/100
15	21762	Libertytown	MD	53%	High	40/100
16	21824	Ewell	MD	53%	High	55/100
17	21829	Girdletree	MD	53%	High	73/100
18	21010	Gunpowder	MD	52%	High	40/100
19	21539	Lonaconing	MD	52%	High	75/100
20	20765	Galesville	MD	51%	High	55/100
21	20812	Glen Echo	MD	51%	High	53/100
22	21205	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	68/100
23	21210	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	63/100
24	21211	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	58/100
25	21212	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	63/100
26	21215	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	58/100
27	21224	Baltimore	MD	51%	High	63/100
28	21540	Luke	MD	51%	High	83/100
29	21867	Upper Fairmount	MD	51%	High	55/100
30	20680	Ridge	MD	50%	High	55/100
31	21229	Baltimore	MD	50%	High	58/100
32	20722	Brentwood	MD	49%	High	45/100
33	21562	Westernport	MD	49%	High	63/100
34	21652	Neavitt	MD	49%	High	55/100
35	20628	Dameron	MD	48%	High	55/100
36	20712	Mount Rainier	MD	48%	High	53/100
37	20896	Garrett Park	MD	48%	High	53/100
38	20912	Takoma Park	MD	48%	High	53/100
39	21206	Baltimore	MD	48%	High	63/100
40	21230	Baltimore	MD	48%	High	58/100
41	21239	Baltimore	MD	48%	High	63/100
42	21545	Mount Savage	MD	48%	High	55/100
43	21719	Cascade	MD	48%	High	32/100
44	21930	Georgetown	MD	48%	High	63/100
45	20880	Washington Grove	MD	47%	High	40/100
46	21056	Gibson Island	MD	47%	High	63/100
47	21231	Baltimore	MD	47%	High	58/100
48	21538	Kitzmiller	MD	47%	High	63/100
49	21542	Midland	MD	47%	High	55/100
50	21610	Betterton	MD	47%	High	99/100
51	21626	Crapo	MD	47%	High	65/100
52	21634	Fishing Creek	MD	47%	High	40/100
53	21714	Braddock Heights	MD	47%	High	53/100
54	21814	Bivalve	MD	47%	High	63/100
55	21840	Nanticoke	MD	47%	High	55/100
56	21866	Tylerton	MD	47%	High	67/100
57	20625	Cobb Island	MD	46%	High	55/100
58	20763	Savage	MD	46%	High	53/100
59	20868	Spencerville	MD	46%	High	40/100
60	21222	Dundalk	MD	46%	High	45/100
61	21225	Brooklyn	MD	46%	High	55/100
62	21627	Crocheron	MD	46%	High	73/100
63	21650	Massey	MD	46%	High	66/100
64	21717	Buckeystown	MD	46%	High	53/100
65	21778	Rocky Ridge	MD	46%	High	40/100
66	21861	Sharptown	MD	46%	High	93/100
67	20626	Coltons Point	MD	45%	High	55/100
68	20687	Scotland	MD	45%	High	50/100
69	20895	Kensington	MD	45%	High	45/100
70	21201	Baltimore	MD	45%	High	68/100
71	21227	Halethorpe	MD	45%	High	50/100
72	21523	Bloomington	MD	45%	High	63/100
73	21532	Frostburg	MD	45%	High	55/100
74	21622	Church Creek	MD	45%	High	60/100
75	21653	Newcomb	MD	45%	High	63/100
76	20742	College Park	MD	44%	High	40/100
77	20781	Hyattsville	MD	44%	High	45/100
78	20784	Hyattsville	MD	44%	High	55/100
79	20838	Barnesville	MD	44%	High	66/100
80	21051	Fork	MD	44%	High	63/100
81	21156	Upper Falls	MD	44%	High	40/100
82	21202	Baltimore	MD	44%	High	63/100
83	21207	Gwynn Oak	MD	44%	High	50/100
84	21402	Annapolis	MD	44%	High	83/100
85	21529	Ellerslie	MD	44%	High	55/100
86	21715	Brownsville	MD	44%	High	40/100
87	21791	Union Bridge	MD	44%	High	70/100
88	21801	Salisbury	MD	44%	High	59/100
89	21804	Salisbury	MD	44%	High	59/100
90	21851	Pocomoke City	MD	44%	High	86/100
91	21914	Charlestown	MD	44%	High	55/100
92	20710	Bladensburg	MD	43%	High	53/100
93	20737	Riverdale	MD	43%	High	40/100
94	20779	Tracys Landing	MD	43%	High	63/100
95	20782	Hyattsville	MD	43%	High	40/100
96	20815	Chevy Chase	MD	43%	High	45/100
97	20839	Beallsville	MD	43%	High	40/100
98	20842	Dickerson	MD	43%	High	45/100
99	20853	Rockville	MD	43%	High	45/100
100	21082	Hydes	MD	43%	High	53/100

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: 2026-06-04.

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.