Monitoring Violations MD

Charles County Gardens Water

EPA ID: MD0080008 · 551 people served · 11 ZIP codes

Charles County Gardens Water shows 3 open EPA violations in current federal records for approximately 551 people.

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

D · 48
Avg Safety Score
551
People Served
11
ZIP Codes Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0018 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged
$434K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Charles County Gardens Water Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$126,598
Median Household Income
109,509
Service Area Population
3%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
45%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Charles County Gardens Water serves a community with a median household income of $126,598 and an estimated 109,509 residents across its service area. Approximately 45% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Charles County Gardens Water'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Charles 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 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

41 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
28 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 59% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Charles County Gardens Water compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

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

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 12 detections recorded.

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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Maryland

Town of Galena
560 people
0 violations
Town of Secretary
535 people
A 0 violations
0 violations
0 violations
Oyster Cove
600 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $764
PFAS Treatment $182
Total Estimated Cost $2,145

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 $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,145 (one-time) vs. $5,330 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

Charles County Gardens Water (EPA ID: MD0080008) is a community water system in Maryland that serves approximately 551 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 11 ZIP codes across 8 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (48/100)

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

Violation History

3 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved

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 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
20604 0.0018 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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Charles County Gardens Water (MD0080008) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charles County Gardens Water water safe to drink?

Charles County Gardens Water has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Charles County Gardens Water serve?

Charles County Gardens Water serves approximately 551 people across 11 ZIP codes in Maryland.

Where does Charles County Gardens Water get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.

Source: CHARLES COUNTY GARDENS WATER Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
82
Unknown Material
0
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 551
Reported to Maryland

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Charles County Gardens Water safe to drink?
Charles County Gardens Water has a D safety grade based on 3 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Charles County Gardens Water's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 2 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant 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 Charles County Gardens Water serve?
Charles County Gardens Water serves approximately 551 people with drinking water across 11 ZIP codes.
What is Charles County Gardens Water's water source?
Charles County Gardens Water draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Charles County Gardens Water's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0018 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Charles County Gardens Water's service area?
The Charles County Gardens Water service area has a median household income of $126,598. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Charles County Gardens Water get its water?
Charles County Gardens Water'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. 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

Charles County Gardens Water (EPA ID: MD0080008) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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