Out of 30 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in the Baltimore metro area, these areas have the highest modeled infrastructure stress indicator values, computed from area-level data on infrastructure age, funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. The indicator is not a measured failure probability or forecast.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 30 |
| Highest stress indicator | 56/100 |
| Median stress indicator | 50/100 |
| Average stress indicator | 46/100 |
Top 30 ZIP Codes by Infrastructure Stress
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Infrastructure Stress | Stress Level | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21214 | Baltimore | MD | 56/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 2 | 21216 | Baltimore | MD | 56/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 3 | 21217 | Baltimore | MD | 56/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 4 | 21218 | Baltimore | MD | 56/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 5 | 21229 | Baltimore | MD | 56/100 | High | 60/100 |
| 6 | 21210 | Baltimore | MD | 55/100 | High | 62/100 |
| 7 | 21213 | Baltimore | MD | 55/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 8 | 21223 | Baltimore | MD | 55/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 9 | 21211 | Baltimore | MD | 54/100 | High | 62/100 |
| 10 | 21224 | Baltimore | MD | 54/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 11 | 21205 | Baltimore | MD | 53/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 12 | 21212 | Baltimore | MD | 53/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 13 | 21215 | Baltimore | MD | 53/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 14 | 21206 | Baltimore | MD | 50/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 15 | 21230 | Baltimore | MD | 50/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 16 | 21239 | Baltimore | MD | 50/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 17 | 21231 | Baltimore | MD | 49/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 18 | 21201 | Baltimore | MD | 47/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 19 | 21202 | Baltimore | MD | 46/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 20 | 21286 | Towson | MD | 46/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 21 | 21209 | Baltimore | MD | 41/100 | High | 64/100 |
| 22 | 21204 | Towson | MD | 40/100 | Moderate | 64/100 |
| 23 | 21250 | Baltimore | MD | 35/100 | Moderate | 64/100 |
| 24 | 21251 | Baltimore | MD | 35/100 | Moderate | 64/100 |
| 25 | 21252 | Towson | MD | 35/100 | Moderate | — |
| 26 | 21045 | Columbia | MD | 32/100 | Moderate | 66/100 |
| 27 | 21043 | Ellicott City | MD | 30/100 | Moderate | 63/100 |
| 28 | 21046 | Columbia | MD | 28/100 | Moderate | 66/100 |
| 29 | 21044 | Columbia | MD | 27/100 | Moderate | — |
| 30 | 21042 | Ellicott City | MD | 26/100 | Moderate | 48/100 |
Methodology
Infrastructure stress rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA 2023) — state-level 20-year infrastructure need per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) available Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and testing results. The combined value is a normalized 0-100 comparative stress indicator, not a measured pipe-failure probability or a forecast.
Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-10-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the infrastructure stress indicator mean?
The indicator summarizes infrastructure funding gaps, housing age, violation history, and lead indicators on a 0-100 scale. It is a comparative heuristic, not a measured pipe-failure probability or a forecast of a water-main break.
How is infrastructure stress calculated?
The indicator combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure need per capita (EPA DWINSA 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system compliance history (EPA SDWIS), and available lead indicators.
What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?
Ask your water utility or health department about testing your tap water, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. If you use a filter, choose one certified under NSF/ANSI 53 for the specific contaminant, such as lead. Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.
Does high stress mean my water is unsafe right now?
Not necessarily. Infrastructure stress is a screening indicator of long-term vulnerability, not a measurement of current contamination or a prediction of failure. For current conditions, check utility notices and the latest Consumer Confidence Report, and test your tap for contaminants of concern.