ZipCheckup grade for 20861: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: test this home for radon. Check your ZIP → EPA radon map
Ashton, MD (20861): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 67/100
EPA data for Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 20861 in Ashton, MD contain zero recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026. This does not establish that every category was monitored or published, and it does not cover events outside that source window.
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS
At a Glance
- Water No drinking-water violations in EPA records since 2021.
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result is below the laboratory reporting limit, not a measured zero; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
- PFAS PFAS detected in UCMR5 sampling; see the PFAS section for each compound, compared with the federal PFAS MCL where one exists.
- Radon EPA Zone 1 - highest county-level potential. This is not a home measurement; test before any threshold comparison.
- Flood 1 cumulative NFIP claim record. Claim evidence is historical, not current map coverage.
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Looking at every monitored dimension for 20861 in Ashton, the high-priority label applies to 1 condition - nothing in the record clears the bar for critical status.
Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: 67/100
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 (8) HIGH
Your Water System
ZIP code 20861 in Ashton, Maryland is mapped to the water system Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (EPA ID: MD0150005). This system provides water to approximately 1,900,000 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
- 20860 (Sandy Spring) - 2 mi
- 20868 (Spencerville) - 2 mi
- 20862 (Brinklow) - 3 mi
- 20905 (Silver Spring) - 3 mi
- 20777 (Highland) - 3 mi
- 20759 (Fulton) - 3 mi - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 20830 (Olney) - 4 mi
- 20833 (Brookeville) - 4 mi
- 20832 (Olney) - 4 mi
- 21029 (Clarksville) - 5 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 Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (MD0150005) 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 20861.
Detected compounds: PFPeA, PFHxA.
Highest measured level: 0.0067 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.
Environmental Hazards (11) MODERATE
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 Ashton
Based on local data for ZIP 20861, 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 Ashton has 1 FEMA flood claim 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)
Service 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 20861 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 0 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 20861 (primary system: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission), 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 20861's water come from?
The recorded water source for Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, a system mapped to ZIP code 20861, is Surface water. This system serves approximately 1,900,000 people.
How does Ashton water compare to the national average?
Ashton's Home Safety Score ranks lower than 65% of U.S. ZIP codes, and at or above 52% within Maryland.
How can I get my water tested in Ashton?
If Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission 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.
What is the radon risk for 20861?
20861 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 20861's water?
Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 20861. 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 20861?
FEMA records contain 1 flood insurance claim filed in ZIP code 20861; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is X, 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). Ashton, MD (20861): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 67/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/20861/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-20861,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Ashton, MD (20861): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 67/100}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/20861/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 20861
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20860 | Sandy Spring, MD | 2.0 mi | C | 0 |
| 20868 | Spencerville, MD | 2.3 mi | C | 0 |
| 20862 | Brinklow, MD | 2.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 20905 | Silver Spring, MD | 2.6 mi | C | 0 |
| 20777 | Highland, MD | 2.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 20759 | Fulton, MD | 3.3 mi | N/A | 1 |
| 20830 | Olney, MD | 4.0 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 20833 | Brookeville, MD | 4.4 mi | C | 0 |
| 20832 | Olney, MD | 4.4 mi | C | 0 |
| 21029 | Clarksville, MD | 4.8 mi | N/A | 1 |
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