Water Quality: Frederick, MD

19 water systems • 147,122 people served

Multiple Health Violations
200
Total Violations
12
Health-Based Violations
19
Water Systems
147,122
Population Served

Water Quality Summary

Frederick is served by 19 public water systems with a combined service population of 147,122 people, and has 200 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 12 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Frederick's violation count is 449% above the national average for Maryland. Contaminants associated with violations include Bromate, E. coli, Stage 2 DBP, TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Contaminants Found

Bromate

Probable human carcinogen that increases the risk of kidney and thyroid cancers.

Common source: Ozonation of bromide-containing water; used as flour improver

EPA limit: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)

E. coli

Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.

Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply

EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)

Stage 2 DBP

Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.

Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water

EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L

TTHM

Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.

Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water

EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)

Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.

Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water

EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)

Water Systems Serving Frederick

System Name PWSID Source Population Violations
NEW DESIGN - FREDERICK COUNTY MD0100030 Surface Water 74,911 15
CITY OF FREDERICK MD0100015 Surface Water 54,000 2
FORT DETRICK MD0100011 Surface Water 7,900 10
FOUNTAINDALE SOUTH MD0100013 Surface Water 2,610 0
KNOLLS OF WINDSOR MD0100041 Surface Water 1,553 0
WATERSIDE MD0100029 Surface Water 1,509 0
SAM HILL ESTATES MD0100040 Groundwater 1,036 1
CAMBRIDGE FARMS MD0100033 Groundwater 953 0
CLOVERHILL 3 - CONSECUTIVE TO MD0100015 MD0100031 Surface Water 888 3
COPPERFIELD MD0100037 Groundwater 338 0
COUNTRY MEADOWS OF FREDERICK MD0100047 Surface Water 295 16
WHITE ROCK MD0100026 Groundwater 256 0
ROSEMONT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MD0100045 Surface Water 237 0
BRADFORD ESTATES MD0100032 Groundwater 178 0
LIBERTYTOWN EAST MD0100038 Groundwater 140 0
TRANQUILITY AT FREDERICKTOWNE MD0100214 Surface Water 105 28
LIBERTYTOWN APARTMENTS MD0100036 Groundwater 97 0
POLINGS MOBILE HOME PARK MD0100210 Groundwater 80 6
AMELANO MANOR MD0100001 Groundwater 36 119

Concerned About Your Water?

A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.

Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.

Other Cities in Maryland

Laurel 0 violations • 1,900,000 served Baltimore 87 violations • 1,601,584 served Millersville 94 violations • 387,543 served Columbia 31 violations • 286,458 served La Plata 179 violations • 106,661 served Abingdon 9 violations • 104,567 served Hagerstown 49 violations • 94,933 served Westminster 64 violations • 62,913 served

View all cities in Maryland →

Data Sources

Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.

Verify at epa.gov • Search ECHO for MD