Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in City of Baltimore, MD tap water
19 contaminants were measured in the City of Baltimore, MD water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 4 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 19
- Over federal limit
- 4
- Approaching the limit
- 2
- Worst contaminant
- Barium
- Service area
- MD
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.0297–395RangeMontebello Plants | 2MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— Montebello Plants, Ashburton Plant
| |||
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 112 %90th percentileAt the tap | 90 %Action level | At or above the limit |
| Antimony | 0–2.87RangeMontebello Plants | 6MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Montebello Plants, Ashburton Plant
| |||
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 2.74 %90th percentileAt the tap | 90 %Action level | Within the limit |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | Not detectedRangeMontebello Plants | 10MCL | None detected |
+By source (2)— Montebello Plants, Ashburton Plant
| |||
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 0.2–16RangeSystem-wide | 5MCL | At or above the limit |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 3Reported levelAshburton Plant | 3MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— Ashburton Plant, Montebello Plants
| |||
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 2.43MaximumAshburton Plant | 4MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Ashburton Plant, Montebello Plants
| |||
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 2.17MaximumAshburton Plant | 4MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Ashburton Plant, Montebello Plants
| |||
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detectedMaximumMontebello Plants | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Montebello Plants, Ashburton Plant
| |||
| Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedMaximumAshburton Plant | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Ashburton Plant, Montebello Plants
| |||
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 1.64MaximumAshburton Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Ashburton Plant, Montebello Plants
| |||
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 2.45MaximumAshburton Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Ashburton Plant, Montebello Plants
| |||
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 54Running annual avgCity of Baltimore Distribution System | 60MCL | Approaching the limit |
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 72Running annual avgCity of Baltimore Distribution System | 80MCL | Approaching the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 1.17MaximumMontebello Plants | 4MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Montebello Plants, Ashburton Plant
| |||
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.62–1.7RangeMontebello Plants | 10MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Montebello Plants, Ashburton Plant
| |||
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 0.46Running annual avgRunning Annual Average of Samples Computed Quarterly | 4MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Montebello Plants, Ashburton Plant, Running Annual Average of Samples Computed Quarterly
| |||
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0.33Highest single sampleMonthly Percentage of Samples with Total Coliform Present | 5MCL | Within the limit |
People also ask about City of Baltimore, MD's water
+Is City of Baltimore, MD tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the City of Baltimore, MD water utility lists 4 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Barium, Combined Radium, Copper, and Perfluoropentanoic acid. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in City of Baltimore, MD tap water?
19 contaminants were measured in City of Baltimore, MD's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning pfas ("forever chemicals"), metals, and disinfection byproducts. 15 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in City of Baltimore, MD tap water?
4 contaminants in City of Baltimore, MD's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: Barium (197.5× the limit); Combined Radium (3.2× the limit); Copper (1.2× the limit); Perfluoropentanoic acid (1.0× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in City of Baltimore, MD tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Barium, at 197.5× the federal threshold. It belongs to the metals family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in City of Baltimore, MD tap water approaching the federal limit?
2 contaminants are between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: HAA5 and TTHM. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from City of Baltimore, MD's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is City of Baltimore, MD's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.