ZIP Code 21901 Water Quality & Testing Report
North East, MD · Cecil County County · Updated for 2026
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 21901 (North East, MD)?
Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 21901 (North East, MD) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (59/100) due to 8 health violation(s) and 1.0 ppb lead. While treated by Town of North East, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
Water Safety Grade
Fair — Some compliance concerns
Health Violations
8
Total Violations
13
Lead Risk
Moderate
Contaminants
4
Active Water Quality Issues Detected
EPA records show 5 unresolved violations. Contact Town of North East for current status.
About Tap Water in ZIP Code 21901
Tap water in ZIP code 21901 (North East, MD) is distributed by Town of North East (EPA ID: MD0070016), serving approximately 8,600 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 59/100.
Water System
Town of North East
EPA ID: MD0070016
Water Source
Surface Water
Population Served
8,600 residents
County
Cecil County County, Maryland
Lead Levels in ZIP 21901
EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb
Lead Level: 1.0 ppb — Very Low
Lead exposure risk in 21901 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 33% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.
EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure
Water Hardness & Mineral Content
Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)
Water in ZIP 21901 is classified as Soft (49 mg/L / 2.9 GPG). Soft water produces abundant soap lather, prevents scale buildup in water heaters, and does not leave spots on dishes.
Grains per gallon
Parts per million CaCO3
Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry
Utility: Town of North East · PWSID: MD0070016
Violation History
Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data
Town of North East has recorded 8 health-based violations out of 13 total violations over the past 5 years. 5 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.
Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.
Contaminants Detected
Contaminants with health-based violations on record
EPA records identify 4 contaminants with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Stage 2 DBP Rule, Chlorite, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
⚖ Enforcement Actions
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.
Moderate potential
Estimated annual flood-related costs per property
% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure
EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.
Water Quality Testing in ZIP 21901
Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations
Residents in ZIP code 21901 served by Town of North East 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.
🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 21901 Recommendations
Some compliance concerns — take precautions
- ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
- ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
- ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
- ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791
Recommended Water Treatment Systems:
NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter
Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.
NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System
Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 21901 Water Quality
Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 21901?+
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 21901 (North East, MD)?+
How hard is the tap water in 21901?+
Should I test private well water in 21901?+
What is the lead level in 21901 tap water?+
Is there an active boil water notice in 21901?+
Who provides tap water to 21901?+
What water filter should I use in 21901?+
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for ZIP code 21901 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 Town of North East. 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 →