Safe
Maryland, United States
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Last reviewed:
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Baltimore?
Yes, tap water in Baltimore is safe to drink. It's drawn from a network of regional reservoirs, treated by Baltimore's Department of Public Works to meet all EPA standards.
Hardness
Soft to moderate
pH
7.3–7.9
TDS
ranges 100–180 ppm
EPA Status
Compliant
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very Hard
Water Source
Baltimore DPW draws from the Loch Raven, Prettyboy, and Liberty Reservoirs, fed by the Gunpowder Falls, Patapsco, and Susquehanna watersheds.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •Some older rowhome neighborhoods, common to many pre-1950s East Coast cities, have legacy lead service lines; the city runs an active testing and replacement program
- •No significant source-water compliance concerns
How It Compares
Baltimore's reservoir system provides comparatively high-quality source water typical of well-protected Mid-Atlantic watersheds.
Tips
- •Free lead test kits are available for residents in older rowhomes
- •Baltimore DPW publishes an annual water quality report
- •Running the tap briefly clears standing water in older buildings
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality