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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 20841 Water Quality & Testing Report

Boyds, MD · Montgomery County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 20841 (Boyds, MD)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 20841 (Boyds, MD) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (73/100) with 0 health violations, 0 ppb lead, and soft (54 mg/L / 3.2 GPG) water.

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 20841

Tap water in ZIP code 20841 (Boyds, MD) is distributed by WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION (EPA ID: MD0150005), serving approximately 1,900,000 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of B with a composite quality score of 73/100.

Water System

WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION

EPA ID: MD0150005

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

1,900,000 residents

County

Montgomery County County, Maryland

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Lead Levels in ZIP 20841

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 20841. Contact WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 20841 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 23% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

23%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Soft3.2 GPG · 54 mg/L

Water in ZIP 20841 is classified as Soft (54 mg/L / 3.2 GPG). Soft water produces abundant soap lather, prevents scale buildup in water heaters, and does not leave spots on dishes.

Recommendation: No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

3.2 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

54 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Very Low

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION · PWSID: MD0150005

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION has recorded zero violations in the EPA compliance database over the past 5 years.

Total Violations (5 yr)
0
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Unknown
⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 20841 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$0
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

1.14%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 20841

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 20841 served by WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Maryland Department of the Environment.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in MD for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 20841 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

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NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 20841 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 20841?+
Yes — tap water in 20841 (Boyds, MD) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 20841 (Boyds, MD)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 20841, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in MD. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Maryland Department of the Environment for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 20841?+
Tap water in 20841 is classified as Soft with an estimated mineral hardness of 54 mg/L (3.2 GPG). No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Should I test private well water in 20841?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 20841 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 20841 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 20841. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 20841?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 20841. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 20841?+
Tap water in ZIP code 20841 is provided by WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION (EPA ID: MD0150005), serving approximately 1,900,000 residents.
What water filter should I use in 20841?+
Based on water metrics for 20841, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 20841 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →