What's in the water in Pikesville?
If your home in Pikesville is on public water, it most likely comes from Baltimore City Department of Public Works. Below is everything it reported in its latest published water quality report.
Is this your water? Baltimore City DPW supplies public water to Baltimore City and most of Baltimore County. Some addresses in these ZIP codes use private wells or another system. Check your water bill to confirm your provider.
Baltimore City (also serves most of Baltimore County) · Public water system
Baltimore City Department of Public Works
LeadMetals2.74 ppb15 ppbAction level2024
Your body
EPA has set a health goal of zero for lead because no safe level of exposure is known. In children, low-level lead exposure has been linked to lower IQ, learning and attention problems; in adults, to raised blood pressure and kidney effects. Pregnant women and young children are most at risk.
Your home & appliances
Lead itself does not damage plumbing, but its presence is a sign of corrosion: water chemistry that dissolves metal from pipes, solder, and fixtures.
What it is
A metal that usually gets into tap water from lead service lines, lead solder, and older brass fixtures inside buildings, not from the water source itself. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead plumbing.
Exactly as reported
- Lead: 2.74 ppb (90th percentile) · range <2–7.09 · Action level 15 · health goal 0 · violation: No · sampled 2024
PFASIndustrial & farm chemicals · 5 resultsAshburton 2.9 · Montebello 1.9 ppt +4 more4 pptMCL2025
Your body
Exposure to certain PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS, has been linked to effects including changes in cholesterol, reduced vaccine response in children, lower birth weight, and increased risk of some cancers (EPA; Fenton et al., 2021). In 2024, EPA set drinking water limits for several PFAS.
Your home & appliances
PFAS do not affect plumbing or appliances.
What it is
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a large family of man-made chemicals used since the 1940s in non-stick, stain- and water-resistant products and firefighting foams. They break down very slowly in the environment and the body.
Exactly as reported
- PFOA: Ashburton 2.9 · Montebello 1.9 ppt (highest level detected by plant) · MCL 4 · health goal 0 · violation: No · sampled 2025Note: The report notes these PFAS MCLs are scheduled to go into effect April 26, 2029.
- PFOS: Ashburton 3.3 · Montebello 1.7 ppt (highest level detected by plant) · MCL 4 · health goal 0 · violation: No · sampled 2025Note: The report notes these PFAS MCLs are scheduled to go into effect April 26, 2029.
- PFBS: Ashburton 1.8 · Montebello 2.2 ppt (highest level detected by plant) · limit Used to calculate Hazard Index · violation: No · sampled 2025
- PFAS Hazard Index (PFBS + PFHxS + PFNA + HFPO-DA): Ashburton 0.0009 · Montebello 0.003 Hazard Index (highest level detected by plant) · MCL 1.0 · health goal 1.0 · violation: No · sampled 2025
- PFHxA (unregulated): Ashburton 2.90 · Montebello 2.08 ppt (result by plant) · violation: No · sampled 2025
NitrateNutrientsAshburton 5.81 · Montebello 1.57 ppm10 ppmMCL2025
Your body
According to EPA, infants under six months who drink water with nitrate above the federal limit could become seriously ill (blue baby syndrome). Research has also examined links between long-term exposure and other health effects.
Your home & appliances
Nitrate does not harm plumbing. It can indicate that surface water or septic waste is reaching a well.
What it is
A form of nitrogen from fertilizer, manure, and septic systems that can soak into groundwater. It is a common concern in farming areas, including much of the Eastern Shore.
Exactly as reported
- Nitrate: Ashburton 5.81 · Montebello 1.57 ppm (highest result by plant) · range 0.41–5.81 · MCL 10 · health goal 10 · violation: No · sampled 2025
Total TrihalomethanesDisinfection byproducts77 ppb80 ppbMCL2025
Your body
According to EPA, long-term exposure above the federal limit has been linked to liver, kidney, or central nervous system problems and an increased risk of cancer. Studies have associated long-term exposure to chlorination byproducts with bladder cancer.
Your home & appliances
Trihalomethanes do not affect plumbing. They can also be inhaled during hot showers.
What it is
A group of four chemicals (chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, bromoform) that form when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in water. Levels are usually higher at the far ends of a distribution system and in warm months.
Exactly as reported
- Total THMs: 77 ppb (highest locational running annual average) · range 23–133 · MCL 80 · health goal NA · violation: No · sampled 2025
Haloacetic AcidsDisinfection byproducts46 ppb60 ppbMCL2025
Your body
According to EPA, long-term exposure above the federal limit has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Your home & appliances
Haloacetic acids do not affect plumbing.
What it is
Five related chemicals that form when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in water. Like TTHM, they are tracked at points around the distribution system.
Exactly as reported
- HAA (5): 46 ppb (highest locational running annual average) · range 6–53 · MCL 60 · health goal NA · violation: No · sampled 2025
RadiumRadiological1.6 pCi/L5 pCi/LMCL2025
Your body
According to EPA, long-term exposure above the federal limit has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Your home & appliances
Radium does not affect plumbing, but it can build up in softener resin and filter media.
What it is
A naturally occurring radioactive element in some rock and soil, found in certain Maryland aquifers. Reports list radium-226, radium-228, or the two combined.
Exactly as reported
- Combined Radium 226/228: 1.6 pCi/L (highest level detected) · range 0.2–1.6 · MCL 5 · health goal 0 · violation: No · sampled 2025
Coliform bacteria & E. coliMicrobes1.31% % of monthly samples5% of monthly samples positiveMCL2025
Your body
According to EPA, germs indicated by E. coli can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and headaches, and may pose a special risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
Your home & appliances
Bacteria do not damage plumbing, but in wells they can point to a cracked well cap, a damaged casing, or nearby septic issues.
What it is
Coliforms are bacteria that are common in the environment. Water systems test for them as an indicator: their presence means germs may be able to get into the water. E. coli is a specific type that indicates fecal contamination.
Exactly as reported
- Total Coliform: 1.31% % of monthly samples (highest monthly percentage of samples with total coliform present) · MCL 5% of monthly samples positive · health goal 0 · violation: No · sampled 2025
CopperMetals112 ppb1,300 ppbAction level2024
Your body
According to EPA, short-term exposure above the action level has been linked to stomach and intestinal upset. Long-term exposure has been linked to liver or kidney damage, and people with Wilson’s disease are more sensitive.
Your home & appliances
Copper in water points to pipe corrosion, which can lead to pinhole leaks over time. It also leaves blue-green stains on sinks, tubs, and fixtures.
What it is
A metal that mostly enters tap water from corrosion of copper pipes and brass fixtures, especially when water is acidic (low pH) or sits in pipes for hours.
Exactly as reported
- Copper: 112 ppb (90th percentile) · range 14.4–402.0 · Action level 1,300 · health goal 1,300 · violation: No · sampled 2024
FluorideMineralsAshburton 0.90 · Montebello 1.09 ppm4 ppmMCL2025
Your body
EPA sets an enforceable limit of 4.0 mg/L and a secondary standard of 2.0 mg/L. According to EPA, long-term exposure above 4.0 mg/L has been linked to bone disease, and children exposed above 2.0 mg/L may develop dental fluorosis (tooth discoloration or pitting). A 2024 federal NTP review examined fluoride exposure above 1.5 mg/L and children’s IQ.
Your home & appliances
Fluoride does not affect plumbing.
What it is
A mineral that occurs naturally in some groundwater and that many public water systems add at low levels to help prevent tooth decay.
Exactly as reported
- Fluoride: Ashburton 0.90 · Montebello 1.09 ppm (highest result by plant) · range 0.07–1.09 · MCL 4 · health goal 4 · violation: No · sampled 2025
ChlorineDisinfectants0.52 ppm4 ppmMax. disinfectant2025
Your body
According to EPA, people drinking water containing chlorine well in excess of the federal limit could experience eye or nose irritation or stomach discomfort. Disinfection itself is an important public health protection.
Your home & appliances
Chlorine causes the “pool” taste and smell many people notice. Over time it can dry out rubber seals and gaskets in fixtures and appliances.
What it is
Public water systems are required to disinfect water to control germs, and most use chlorine or chloramine. A small amount stays in the water all the way to your tap.
Exactly as reported
- Chlorine: 0.52 ppm (distribution system running annual average) · range Plant highest: Ashburton 1.14 · Montebello 1.20 · Max. disinfectant 4 · health goal 4 · violation: No · sampled 2025
BariumMetalsAshburton 0.0238 · Montebello 0.0407 ppm2 ppmMCL2025
Your body
According to EPA, long-term exposure above the federal limit has been linked to increased blood pressure.
Your home & appliances
Barium can add to the mineral scale that builds up in water heaters and pipes.
What it is
A naturally occurring metal found in many rock formations, plus discharges from drilling and metal refining.
Exactly as reported
- Barium: Ashburton 0.0238 · Montebello 0.0407 ppm (highest result by plant) · range 0.0199–0.0407 · MCL 2 · health goal 2 · violation: No · sampled 2025
TurbidityWater qualityAshburton 0.12 · Montebello 0.22 NTUTreatment techniqueMCL2025
Your body
Turbidity itself has no health effects, but according to EPA, it can interfere with disinfection and give germs a place to grow.
Your home & appliances
Sediment that causes cloudy water can clog faucet aerators, valves, and appliance inlets.
What it is
Turbidity measures how cloudy water is, from suspended particles like silt and clay. Water systems monitor it to show how well their filtration works.
Exactly as reported
- Turbidity: Ashburton 0.12 · Montebello 0.22 NTU (highest result by plant) · MCL Treatment technique · violation: No · sampled 2025
Source: Baltimore City Department of Public Works, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (Annual Water Quality Report) (published 2026, covering 2025), via the Maryland Department of the Environment. Values appear as printed. Detected doesn't mean unsafe; most results are below federal limits.
Outside Pikesville’s water system?
Private wells aren’t covered by public water rules, so no one tests them for you. These are what Maryland well owners most often test for:
Systems we install in Pikesville
Other towns in Baltimore County
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