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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 35 cities in Maryland
It depends on your utility. 2 of the 15 Maryland water systems we grade from EPA records have a health-based violation in the last five years; the state averages 88/100 (0 above the national 88). Lowest graded: Bel Air (D). Highest: Hagerstown (A).
Maryland's official certified-lab list, when to test well vs city water, typical lab prices, and how to take a first-draw lead sample.
Across the 15 Maryland water systems we can grade from EPA records, the average score is 88/100 — right at the U.S. national average of 88/100. 60% of graded Maryland cities (9 of 15) score above that national benchmark, and 8 earn a Grade A. 2 cities have at least one health-based EPA violation in the last five years. 20 cities are not graded because we have not yet matched them to an EPA water system.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in Maryland water systems are lead (older service lines, especially baltimore), nitrates (eastern shore agriculture and poultry) and pfas (military and industrial sites). See the full breakdown in our Maryland water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in Maryland
92,200 residents
27,039 residents
17,357 residents
62,986 residents
54,000 residents
35,000 residents
1,900,000 residents
286,158 residents
25,000 residents
290,606 residents
52,000 residents
35,256 residents
30,343 residents
1,600,000 residents
13,200 residents
91,249 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
82,934 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
81,410 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
75,947 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
70,153 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
68,056 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
67,796 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
59,533 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
54,327 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
44,408 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
41,980 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
39,553 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
34,740 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
31,617 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
30,508 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
27,805 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
26,112 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
24,921 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
21,187 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
17,629 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
Maryland's water quality is closely tied to the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The state benefits from major protected reservoir systems serving Baltimore and the Washington suburbs, but contends with lead service lines in older cities, nitrate from Eastern Shore agriculture, and PFAS near military and industrial sites.
Across the 15 Maryland cities graded from EPA records, the average water quality score is 88/100. 1 city scores below 70 (D or F) because of health-based violations, lead results, PFAS or historical readings near a limit. The highest-rated city is Hagerstown with a score of 100/100, while Bel Air has the most room for improvement at 64/100.
1 of the 15 Maryland cities we grade score below 70/100. If your city is one of them — or you just want extra protection — a certified filter is the fastest way to reduce exposure. The findings that drag a score down (lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrate) are exactly the ones a basic carbon pitcher does not remove.
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Baltimore draws from the protected Loch Raven, Liberty, and Prettyboy reservoirs, while the Washington suburbs rely on the Potomac River via the WSSC and Washington Aqueduct systems. The rural Eastern Shore depends largely on groundwater aquifers that can be affected by agricultural runoff and saltwater intrusion near the coast.
These contaminants have been detected in various Maryland water systems
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regulates public drinking water under federal EPA standards and coordinates Chesapeake Bay nutrient-reduction efforts that also benefit drinking-water sources. Maryland has expanded PFAS monitoring, particularly near current and former military installations.
Lead is a long-standing concern in Baltimore and other older communities with lead service lines. The Eastern Shore's intensive poultry and crop agriculture drives nitrate contamination in shallow wells. PFAS has been detected near several Maryland military bases and industrial areas.
Maryland residents in older homes should test for lead and use an NSF 53 certified filter; Baltimore offers guidance on its lead service line program. Eastern Shore well owners should test for nitrate and bacteria, and for PFAS near military sites. Reverse osmosis addresses nitrate, lead, and PFAS most comprehensively.
Most Maryland cities we grade have tap water in good standing with EPA. With an average score of 88/100 across 15 graded cities, Maryland generally has good water quality. However, water quality varies by utility, so check your specific city's report.
The most common water quality concerns in Maryland include lead (older service lines, especially baltimore), nitrates (eastern shore agriculture and poultry), pfas (military and industrial sites). These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. With 1 Maryland cities grading D or F on EPA records, residents in those areas may benefit from filtration. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in Maryland are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in Maryland water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in Maryland. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual Maryland city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
On EPA records, Hagerstown has the highest water quality score in Maryland at 100/100 (Grade A). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in Maryland page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in Maryland are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area