ZipCheckup grade for 20837: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
Your top priority: test this home for radon. Check your ZIP → EPA radon map
Poolesville, MD (20837): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 50/100
EPA data for Town of Poolesville
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 20837 in Poolesville, MD contain 2 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 0 are marked health-based.
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS
At a Glance
- Water EPA records for water systems mapped to this ZIP show 2 violations (non-health) (since 2021).
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.005 mg/L is below the EPA action level, but EPA's health goal for lead is zero; filtration is advisable.
- PFAS At least one PFAS result is above an EPA MCL value (UCMR5 sampling; MCL compliance required from 2029).
- Radon EPA Zone 1 - highest county-level potential. This is not a home measurement; test before any threshold comparison.
- Flood 3 cumulative NFIP claim records. Claim evidence is historical, not current map coverage.
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Check the critical finding below for 20837 in Poolesville - it is the only critical or high-priority finding documented in this record.
Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: 50/100
This is the published model score. Component and domain values are shown independently; they are not added together on this page.
Canonical components
Required domains
Coverage: 4 of 4 components and 3 of 3 domains observed.
Model 4.0.0; series home-safety-v4-cross-vertical.
Safety & Health (9) HIGH
Your Water System
ZIP code 20837 in Poolesville, Maryland is mapped to the water system Town of Poolesville (EPA ID: MD0150002). This system provides water to approximately 6,005 people from surface water sources.
Other Water Quality Reports in Maryland
- 20588 (Dhs)
- 20601 (Waldorf) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 20602 (Waldorf) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 20603 (Waldorf) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 20604 (Waldorf)
- 20606 (Abell)
- 20607 (Accokeek) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 20608 (Aquasco)
- 20609 (Avenue)
- 20610 (Barstow)
- 20611 (Bel Alton) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 20612 (Benedict)
- 20613 (Brandywine) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 20615 (Broomes Island)
- 20616 (Bryans Road) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 20617 (Bryantown)
- 20618 (Bushwood)
- 20619 (California) - 12 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 20620 (Callaway) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 20621 (Chaptico) - 4 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Nearby Water Quality Reports
- 20839 (Beallsville) - 3 mi
- 20842 (Dickerson) - 5 mi - 4 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 20838 (Barnesville) - 6 mi
- 20165 (Sterling, VA) - 6 mi - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 20874 (Germantown) - 7 mi
- 20841 (Boyds) - 7 mi - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 20176 (Leesburg, VA) - 8 mi - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 20149 (Ashburn, VA) - 8 mi
- 22093 (Ashburn, VA) - 8 mi
- 20164 (Sterling, VA) - 8 mi - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Town of Poolesville (MD0150002) on EPA.gov.
4 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.
PFAS Contamination Detected
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 20837. One or more compound results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029.
Detected compounds: PFPeA, PFHxA, PFBA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFHpA, PFOA, PFBS.
Highest measured level: 0.0151 µg/L
Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.
Health Risks from Detected Contaminants
Fluoride
Moderate RiskEPA reference value: 4 mg/L (estándar secundario: 2.0 mg/L)
Tooth & bone damage at high levels
At-risk groups: children aged 8 and younger during tooth development
Treatment options (verify a product is certified to reduce this contaminant): reverse osmosis, activated alumina, distillation · Find a filter →
Environmental Hazards (11) HIGH
Home & Infrastructure (8) MODERATE
Cost & Community (9) HIGH
CPSC product recall notices
These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.
Protect Your Home in Poolesville
Based on local data for ZIP 20837, these services may benefit homeowners in your area.
Based on local data for your area. Use the tools below to explore your options.
Home & Flood Insurance
The ZIP code for this report in Poolesville has 3 FEMA flood claims on record. Standard homeowner policies don't cover flood damage - make sure you're protected.
Typical cost: Flood insurance: premiums vary by property and flood zone; request a quote
Check Your Flood Zone (Free)FEMA flood map lookup - see if your property is in a flood zone
Free tip: Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov (free lookup)
Gutter Installation & Repair
The median home in 20837 was built around 1986. Aging gutters can cause foundation damage, basement flooding, and mold - a professional assessment can prevent costly repairs.
Typical cost: Gutter installation: typically $1,000–$2,500 for a standard home
Estimate Your Home Maintenance CostsService recommendations are based on public data for this ZIP code (FEMA, Census ACS, NWS). Actual needs vary by property. By calling, your information will be shared with an independent service provider. ZipCheckup may receive compensation. Cost estimates are approximate and vary by property, condition, and contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water in 20837 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 2 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 20837 (primary system: Town of Poolesville), including 0 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.
Where does 20837's water come from?
The recorded water source for Town of Poolesville, a system mapped to ZIP code 20837, is Surface water. This system serves approximately 6,005 people.
How does Poolesville water compare to the national average?
Poolesville's Home Safety Score ranks lower than 93% of U.S. ZIP codes, and lower than 94% of ZIP codes within Maryland.
How can I get my water tested in Poolesville?
If Town of Poolesville supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.
Is lead a concern in 20837 tap water?
The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 20837 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.005 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2018-12-31). The EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L. This result is below the EPA action level; it does not show the lead level in each home.
What is the radon risk for 20837?
20837 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 1 (high county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Montgomery County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.
Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 20837's water?
Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 20837. One or more PFAS results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.
What does the NFIP claim history show for ZIP 20837?
FEMA records contain 3 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 20837; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is A, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. Claim records do not establish current property risk. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (2026). Poolesville, MD (20837): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 50/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/20837/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-20837,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Poolesville, MD (20837): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 50/100}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/20837/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 20837
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20839 | Beallsville, MD | 2.8 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 20842 | Dickerson, MD | 5.2 mi | N/A | 4 |
| 20838 | Barnesville, MD | 6.1 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 20165 | Sterling, VA | 6.4 mi | B | 1 |
| 20874 | Germantown, MD | 6.7 mi | C | 0 |
| 20841 | Boyds, MD | 6.9 mi | C | 2 |
| 20176 | Leesburg, VA | 7.5 mi | B | 1 |
| 20149 | Ashburn, VA | 7.9 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 22093 | Ashburn, VA | 7.9 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 20164 | Sterling, VA | 8.0 mi | C | 1 |
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