Glen Burnie-broadneck
EPA ID: MD0020017 · 290,606 people served · 20 ZIP codes
Pulled from the federal compliance ledger, 1 violation at Glen Burnie-broadneck remain without resolution — the utility delivers drinking water to roughly 290,606 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 5 (2022) to 10 (2024). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Glen Burnie-broadneck Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Glen Burnie-broadneck serves a community with a median household income of $121,732 and an estimated 460,309 residents across its service area. Approximately 51% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Glen Burnie-broadneck's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 1% of homes in Anne Arundel County, Maryland rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 69th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Glen Burnie-broadneck compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Chromium at 1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L). Stomach & intestinal cancer (known carcinogen). Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Maryland
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Glen Burnie-broadneck (EPA ID: MD0020017) is a community water system in Maryland that serves approximately 290,606 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 20 ZIP codes across 18 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (63/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Chromium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 1 | Yes |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium) (EPA limit: 0.1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L))
Stomach & intestinal cancer (known carcinogen) At-risk groups: long-term residents, people near industrial sites, residents in areas with naturally high Cr-6 geology.
Removal methods: reverse osmosis, strong-base anion exchange, reduction and precipitation. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21090 | 0.005 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 21146 | 0.0013 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 20724 | 0.00105 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 21409 | -0.002 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 21054 | -0.005 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 21108 | -0.005 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by MD or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
- 20701 — Annapolis Junction
- 20724 — Laurel
- 20755 — Fort George G Meade
- 20794 — Jessup
- 21012 — Arnold
- 21054 — Gambrills
- 21060 — Glen Burnie
- 21061 — Glen Burnie
- 21076 — Hanover
- 21077 — Harmans
- 21090 — Linthicum Heights
- 21108 — Millersville
- 21113 — Odenton
- 21122 — Pasadena
- 21144 — Severn
- 21146 — Severna Park
- 21225 — Brooklyn
- 21226 — Curtis Bay
- 21402 — Annapolis
- 21409 — Annapolis
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Glen Burnie-broadneck (MD0020017) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glen Burnie-broadneck water safe to drink?
Glen Burnie-broadneck has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Glen Burnie-broadneck serve?
Glen Burnie-broadneck serves approximately 290,606 people across 20 ZIP codes in Maryland.
Where does Glen Burnie-broadneck get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
- #38 / 100 Highest Exposure Burden (U.S.)
- #38 / 45 Most Disadvantaged Populations Served (Maryland)
- #2 / 27 Highest Exposure Burden (Maryland)
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Glen Burnie-broadneck (EPA ID: MD0020017) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.