ZipCheckup grade for 21901: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (11 health-based violations). Check your ZIP → NSF certified filters
North East, MD (21901): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 77/100
EPA data combined for 5 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: Town of North East)
Health-based violation records by water system:
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 21901 in North East, MD contain 16 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 11 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 11 health-based violations and 5 non-health-based (since 2021).
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.001 mg/L is below the EPA action level for water systems; 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 2 - county-level radon potential, not a home measurement.
- Flood 138 cumulative NFIP claim records. This historical count is not a current property-risk verdict.
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With no critical conditions on file, the 1 high-priority alert represent the top tier for North East (21901).
Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: 77/100
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) CRITICAL
Your Water System
ZIP code 21901 in North East, Maryland is mapped to the water system Town of North East (EPA ID: MD0070016). This system provides water to approximately 8,600 people from surface water sources.
There are 5 community water systems serving this area.
Water Systems Serving This Area
| System Name | EPA ID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town of North East | MD0070016 | 8,600 | Surface water |
| Town of Charlestown | MD0070029 | 3,791 | Groundwater |
| Mountain Hill Water Company | MD0070034 | 2,154 | Surface water |
| Pine Hills | MD0070019 | 953 | Groundwater |
| Carpenters Point Water Company | MD0070003 | 400 | Groundwater |
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
- 21914 (Charlestown) - 3 mi - 4 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 21916 (Childs) - 5 mi
- 21904 (Port Deposit) - 6 mi - 11 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 21921 (Elkton) - 6 mi - 19 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 21903 (Perryville) - 6 mi - 54 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 21922 (Elkton) - 6 mi
- 21902 (Perry Point) - 7 mi - 39 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 21920 (Elk Mills) - 8 mi - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 21911 (Rising Sun) - 8 mi - 14 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 21917 (Colora) - 9 mi - 3 violations 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 North East (MD0070016) on EPA.gov.
5 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.
Compliance History
PFAS Contamination Detected
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 21901.
Detected compounds: PFBA.
Highest measured level: 0.0125 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) HIGH
Home & Infrastructure (8) OK
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 North East
Based on local data for ZIP 21901, 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 North East has 138 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)
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 21901 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 16 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 21901 (primary system: Town of North East), including 11 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 21901's water come from?
The recorded water source for Town of North East, a system mapped to ZIP code 21901, is Surface water. This system serves approximately 8,600 people.
How does North East water compare to the national average?
North East's Home Safety Score ranks better than 57% of U.S. ZIP codes, and at or above 71% within Maryland.
How can I get my water tested in North East?
If Town of North East 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 21901 tap water?
The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 21901 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.001 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2023-12-31). 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 21901?
21901 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 2 (moderate county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Cecil 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 21901's water?
Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 21901. 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 21901?
FEMA records contain 138 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 21901; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is A13, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. This is a substantial claim history, but claim count is not a count of distinct events or properties. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (2026). North East, MD (21901): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 77/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/21901/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-21901,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{North East, MD (21901): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 77/100}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/21901/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 21901
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21914 | Charlestown, MD | 2.6 mi | B | 4 |
| 21916 | Childs, MD | 5.2 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 21904 | Port Deposit, MD | 5.9 mi | N/A | 11 |
| 21921 | Elkton, MD | 5.9 mi | C | 19 |
| 21903 | Perryville, MD | 6.2 mi | C | 54 |
| 21922 | Elkton, MD | 6.4 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 21902 | Perry Point, MD | 7.3 mi | N/A | 39 |
| 21920 | Elk Mills, MD | 7.6 mi | N/A | 3 |
| 21911 | Rising Sun, MD | 7.7 mi | N/A | 14 |
| 21917 | Colora, MD | 8.7 mi | N/A | 3 |
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