Health Violations Found MD 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

City of Westminster

EPA ID: MD0060015 · 35,256 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Where compliant utilities carry no open actions, City of Westminster shows 2 active EPA violations in the federal database for a service population of approximately 35,256.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 67
Avg Safety Score
35,256
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
5
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0024 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
3
Contaminants Flagged
$394K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Westminster Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$108,795
Median Household Income
68,500
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
30th
Energy Burden Percentile
60%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Westminster serves a community with a median household income of $108,795 and an estimated 68,500 residents across its service area. Approximately 60% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

City of Westminster's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
40th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Carroll County, Maryland rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

50 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
20 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 71% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Westminster compares to EPA limits

Nickel 1 mg/L (secondary standard: 2.0 mg/L) (25% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 4 mg/L (secondary standard: 2.0 mg/L)
Tooth & bone damage at high levels

What This Means For You

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

E. coli at 1 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 8 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds state limits.

State limits: PFOA: 0.01 ppt, PFOS: 0.01 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

E. coli was detected in this water system. UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Maryland

City of Annapolis
35,000 people
C 1 violation
City of Salisbury
30,343 people
C 4 violations
Town of Ocean City
30,000 people
B 11 violations
Lexington Park
43,030 people
C 5 violations
City of Cumberland
27,039 people
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,200
Radon Mitigation $667
Water Filtration $200
PFAS Treatment $200
Total Estimated Cost $2,267

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,267 (one-time) vs. $10,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

City of Westminster (EPA ID: MD0060015) is a community water system in Maryland that serves approximately 35,256 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (67/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 3 Yes
Nickel Inorganic 1 No
E. coli Microbiological 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
21157 0.0024 mg/L No N/A
21158 0.0024 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High 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 Filter

Free 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.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Westminster (MD0060015) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Westminster water safe to drink?

City of Westminster 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 City of Westminster serve?

City of Westminster serves approximately 35,256 people across 3 ZIP codes in Maryland.

Where does City of Westminster get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Above Current MCL

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). One or more PFAS compounds were measured above the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
812
Detections
69
Latest sample
9/4/2025
Highest analyte
PFPeA: 66.7 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOA 12.4 ppt 10 ppt Above current MCL
PFPeA 66.7 ppt
PFHxA 24.6 ppt
PFBA 20.1 ppt
PFBS 8.6 ppt
PFHpA 8.1 ppt

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Westminster safe to drink?
City of Westminster has a C safety grade based on 5 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in City of Westminster's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 2 DBP Rule, E. coli, Nickel. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does City of Westminster serve?
City of Westminster serves approximately 35,256 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is City of Westminster's water source?
City of Westminster draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Westminster's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0024 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Westminster's service area?
The City of Westminster service area has a median household income of $108,795. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Westminster get its water?
City of Westminster's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

City of Westminster (EPA ID: MD0060015) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Maryland City of Westminster

Get safety alerts for City of Westminster, Maryland

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.