EPA ID MD0300002 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Baltimore tap water: what EPA testing found
City of Baltimore (EPA record: CITY OF BALTIMORE) serves 1,600,000 people in MD from surface water.
What the data shows
PFAS found, below EPA’s limits (PFPeA)
1 PFAS compound reached EPA’s reporting level in at least one sample; no sampling point averaged above a limit.
What fits: Pick a filter whose listing certifies PFOA/PFOS (or total PFAS) reduction under NSF/ANSI 53 or 58. Under-sink reverse osmosis units and some carbon filters and pitchers carry it; the certification for the exact model is what counts, not the filter type.
Certified — IAPMO listing, checked 16 Oct 2026- Culligan with ZeroWater Technology 10 Cup PitcherPitcher filter · ZEROP10
- PUR PLUS Lead Reducing Pitcher & Dispenser Replacement FilterPitcher filter · PPF951K
- ZeroWater 5-Stage Replacement FilterPitcher filter · ZR-017
- Culligan Scout 2.25 Gallon Gravity Countertop System with MaxClear…Countertop dispenser · MCSP
- PUR Faucet Filtration System, VerticalFaucet-mount filter · FM-3333B
- PUR PLUS Faucet Filtration System – Horizontal, ChromeFaucet-mount filter · PFM400H
- AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water PurifierCountertop reverse osmosis · AT2000
- Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-MF-1
- Culligan EZ-Change Under Sink Drinking Water Filtration SystemUnder-sink filter · US-EZ-4
- APEC Water Tankless RO System 4 Stage Water Filter, 1000 GPD Reverse…Under-sink reverse osmosis · ROTL-A1000
- Waterdrop 800 GPD Tankless Reverse Osmosis System - Waterdrop G3P800Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-G3P800
- Waterdrop G3P600 Reverse Osmosis System - Waterdrop G3P600Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-G3P600
Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF- Aquasana Clean Water MachineCountertop dispenser · AQ-CWM2-B · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6200 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6300M · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6300 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- A. O. Smith High Efficiency Reverse Osmosis SystemUnder-sink reverse osmosis · AOS-HERO-CHR · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis Water FilterUnder-sink reverse osmosis · AQ-SFRO2 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Culligan Aquasential Smart Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water…Under-sink reverse osmosis · Aquasential Smart RO · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Waterdrop Instant Hot Water Dispenser, Reverse Osmosis System, K6Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-K6-W · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Waterdrop X Series Reverse Osmosis System, X12Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-X12 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana HealthShield Whole House Water Filtration SystemWhole-house filter · WH-HS · check NSF’s listing yourself
NSF’s and WQA’s listings can’t be checked automatically; each product page also links to WQA’s.
Trihalomethanes (TTHM) over the limit
2 health-based violations since 2016, the latest starting 2026-04-01; 2 not yet marked returned to compliance.
What fits: Trihalomethanes are by-products of disinfection. Carbon filters certified for VOC reduction (NSF/ANSI 53, tested with chloroform as the surrogate) or for TTHM reduction cover them.
Certified — IAPMO listing, checked 16 Oct 2026- PUR Pitcher & Dispenser Replacement FilterPitcher filter · PPF900Z
- PUR PLUS Lead Reducing Pitcher & Dispenser Replacement FilterPitcher filter · PPF951K
- PUR Faucet Filtration System, VerticalFaucet-mount filter · FM-3333B
- PUR PLUS Faucet Filtration System – Horizontal, ChromeFaucet-mount filter · PFM400H
- Brita Hub Countertop Water Filter System with Brita Hub FilterCountertop filter · 87340
- AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water PurifierCountertop reverse osmosis · AT2000
- Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-MF-1
- Culligan EZ-Change Under Sink Drinking Water Filtration SystemUnder-sink filter · US-EZ-4
Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF- Brita Elite Replacement Filter, formerly Longlast+Pitcher filter · OB06 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Clean Water MachineCountertop dispenser · AQ-CWM2-B · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Brita Elite Advanced Water Filter Faucet System with Brita…Faucet-mount filter · FF-100 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- A. O. Smith High Efficiency Reverse Osmosis SystemUnder-sink reverse osmosis · AOS-HERO-CHR · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis Water FilterUnder-sink reverse osmosis · AQ-SFRO2 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Culligan Aquasential Smart Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water…Under-sink reverse osmosis · Aquasential Smart RO · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana HealthShield Whole House Water Filtration SystemWhole-house filter · WH-HS · check NSF’s listing yourself
NSF’s and WQA’s listings can’t be checked automatically; each product page also links to WQA’s.
Coliform or groundwater-rule violation
1 health-based violation since 2016, the latest starting 2022-09-01.
What fits: Coliform and groundwater-rule violations are fixed at the system. Follow the utility’s notices; if it issues a boil-water advisory, boil or use bottled water until it is lifted.
Lead from home plumbing (not in this data)
UCMR 5 does not test for lead, and lead usually enters water from service lines and plumbing inside buildings. Your utility’s lead service line inventory says whether your address is served by a lead line.
What fits: Lead comes from lead service lines, solder and fixtures inside buildings, not usually from the treatment plant. Use a filter certified for lead reduction (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58) at the tap you drink from.
Certified — IAPMO listing, checked 16 Oct 2026- Brita Elite Replacement Filter, formerly Longlast+Pitcher filter · OB06
- Culligan with ZeroWater Technology 10 Cup PitcherPitcher filter · ZEROP10
- PUR PLUS Lead Reducing Pitcher & Dispenser Replacement FilterPitcher filter · PPF951K
- ZeroWater 5-Stage Replacement FilterPitcher filter · ZR-017
- Culligan Scout 2.25 Gallon Gravity Countertop System with MaxClear…Countertop dispenser · MCSP
- PUR Faucet Filtration System, VerticalFaucet-mount filter · FM-3333B
- PUR PLUS Faucet Filtration System – Horizontal, ChromeFaucet-mount filter · PFM400H
- AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water PurifierCountertop reverse osmosis · AT2000
- Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-MF-1
- Culligan EZ-Change Under Sink Drinking Water Filtration SystemUnder-sink filter · US-EZ-4
- Waterdrop 800 GPD Tankless Reverse Osmosis System - Waterdrop G3P800Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-G3P800
- Waterdrop G3P600 Reverse Osmosis System - Waterdrop G3P600Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-G3P600
Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF- LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Glass Water Filter PitcherPitcher filter · LSH7SPC101 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Clean Water MachineCountertop dispenser · AQ-CWM2-B · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Brita Elite Advanced Water Filter Faucet System with Brita…Faucet-mount filter · FF-100 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Brita Hub Countertop Water Filter System with Brita Hub FilterCountertop filter · 87340 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6200 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6300M · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Under Sink Water FilterUnder-sink filter · AQ-6300 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- A. O. Smith High Efficiency Reverse Osmosis SystemUnder-sink reverse osmosis · AOS-HERO-CHR · check NSF’s listing yourself
- APEC Water Tankless RO System 4 Stage Water Filter, 1000 GPD Reverse…Under-sink reverse osmosis · ROTL-A1000 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- APEC Water Ultimate 5-Stage 90 GPD High Output Reverse Osmosis Water…Under-sink reverse osmosis · RO-90 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis Water FilterUnder-sink reverse osmosis · AQ-SFRO2 · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Culligan Aquasential Smart Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water…Under-sink reverse osmosis · Aquasential Smart RO · check NSF’s listing yourself
- iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified 75 GPD, Alkaline 6-Stage Reverse…Under-sink reverse osmosis · RCC7AK · check NSF’s listing yourself
- Waterdrop X Series Reverse Osmosis System, X12Under-sink reverse osmosis · WD-X12 · check NSF’s listing yourself
NSF’s and WQA’s listings can’t be checked automatically; each product page also links to WQA’s.
PFAS and lithium (EPA UCMR 5)
360 results from 3 sampling points, 15 Aug 2024 to 13 May 2025. Averages count results below EPA’s reporting level as zero, as the PFAS rule does. Every number links to EPA’s UCMR 5 Data Finder (search PWSID MD0300002). Limits: EPA PFAS rule.
| Contaminant | Detected in | Highest result | Average | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 0 of 12 | not detected | 0 ng/L | 4 ng/L |
| PFOS | 0 of 12 | not detected | 0 ng/L | 4 ng/L |
| PFHxS | 0 of 12 | not detected | 0 ng/L | 10 ng/L* |
| PFNA | 0 of 12 | not detected | 0 ng/L | 10 ng/L* |
| HFPO-DA | 0 of 12 | not detected | 0 ng/L | 10 ng/L* |
| PFPeA | 1 of 12 | 3 ng/L | 0.25 ng/L | none |
| Lithium | 0 of 12 | not detected | 0 µg/L | none (screening level 10 µg/L) |
* PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA limits (and the PFAS hazard index) are in the rule, but EPA proposed on 20 May 2026 to rescind them; not final as of 16 Oct 2026. UCMR 5 results are screening data, not compliance results: compliance uses quarterly running averages from 2029. Source file: EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data (dated 15 Oct 2026).
Health-based violations since 2016
| Period began | Contaminant or rule | Violation | Measured | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 2026 | TTHM | Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | 83 ug/l | Known |
| 1 Jan 2026 | TTHM | Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | 81 ug/l | Known |
| 1 Sep 2022 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, E. coli (RTCR) | – | Returned to Compliance (1 Oct 2022) |
Source: EPA SDWIS via Envirofacts and the ECHO report for MD0300002, retrieved 16 Oct 2026.
Hardness
The utility’s latest water report doesn’t publish a hardness figure (checked 16 Oct 2026). A home test kit or a call to the utility gives it; then use the softener calculator.
Places and ZIP codes served
Baltimore, Hunt Valley, Pikesville, Towson, Baldwin, Catonsville, Chase, Cockeysville, Dundalk, Ellicott City, Essex, Fork, Fort Howard, Glyndon, Gwynn Oak, Halethorpe, Hydes, Joppa, Kingsville, Long Green, Marriottsville, Middle River, Nottingham, Owings Mills, Parkville, Perry Hall, Phoenix, Randallstown, Reisterstown, Riderwood, Rosedale, Sparrows Point, Upper Falls, White Marsh, Windsor Mill, Woodstock.
21013 21027 21030 21031 21043 21051 21052 21065 21071 21082 21085 21087 21092 21104 21117 21128 21131 21133 21136 21139 21156 21162 21163 21201 21202 21203 21204 21205 21206 21207 21208 21209 21210 21211 21212 21213 21214 21215 21216 21217 21218 21219 21220 21221 21222 21223 21224 21227 21228 21229 21230 21231 21233 21234 21235 21236 21237 21239 21240 21241 21244 21250 21251 21263 21264 21270 21273 21275 21278 21279 21281 21282 21286 21287 21289 21290 21297 21298
ZIP codes the system reported to EPA for UCMR 5; place names from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). A ZIP code can be split between systems.