City of Annapolis: what's in the water
8 contaminants and water quality measures were reported as detected in the 2025 Annual Water Quality Report, covering 2025.
Where this comes from: Every number below is copied from the published Consumer Confidence Report for City of Annapolis, hosted by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Some substances aren't tested every year, so the sample date is shown for each result. Values and limits appear as printed.
Is this your water? Only addresses inside Annapolis city limits are on the City of Annapolis system. Much of 21401 and 21403 is served by Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, which publishes separate reports not yet included here. Check your water bill to confirm your provider.
Everything City of Annapolis reported
Tap any contaminant to see what it can do to your body and your home & appliances, the exact values from the report, and which systems can help reduce it.
LeadMetals<0.63 ppb15 ppbAction levelSep 2023
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: <0.63 ppb (90th percentile) · range ND–3.4 · Action level 15 · violation: No · sampled Sep 2023
Total TrihalomethanesDisinfection byproducts4.6 ppb80 ppbMCLOct 2025
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 Trihalomethanes (Stage 2): 4.6 ppb (highest level detected) · range 2.3–4.6 · MCL 80 · health goal n/a · violation: No · sampled Oct 2025
Haloacetic AcidsDisinfection byproducts0.65 ppb60 ppbMCLOct 2025
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
- Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): 0.65 ppb (highest level detected) · range 0–0.65 · MCL 60 · health goal n/a · violation: No · sampled Oct 2025
CopperMetals<0.021 ppm1.3 ppmAction levelSep 2023
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: <0.021 ppm (90th percentile) · range ND–0.04 · Action level 1.3 · violation: No · sampled Sep 2023
FluorideMinerals0.98 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: 0.98 ppm (highest level detected) · range 0.19–0.98 · MCL 4 · health goal 4 · violation: No · sampled 2025
ChlorineDisinfectants1 ppm4 ppmMax. disinfectantWeekly 2025
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: 1 ppm (highest level detected) · range 0.58–1.18 · Max. disinfectant 4 · health goal 4 · violation: No · sampled Weekly 2025
BariumMetals0.0072 ppm2 ppmMCLJan 2025
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: 0.0072 ppm (highest level detected) · MCL 2 · health goal 2 · violation: No · sampled Jan 2025
LithiumMetals8.4 ppbNo federal limitJul 2024
Your body
There is no federal drinking water limit for lithium. EPA is collecting nationwide data through UCMR 5 to support decisions about possible health effects.
Your home & appliances
At drinking-water levels, lithium does not affect plumbing or appliances.
What it is
A naturally occurring metal found in rock and groundwater. EPA has public water systems test for it under its Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) to decide whether it needs a standard.
Exactly as reported
- Lithium (unregulated): 8.4 ppb (highest level detected) · violation: No · sampled Jul 2024
Source: City of Annapolis, 2025 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.
The information on this site is for general education only and is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified health professional about health concerns. Water treatment equipment performance depends on the system, its certification, and proper maintenance. Data transcribed 2026-10-24. If you spot a difference from the published report, the published report is correct. Please let us know.
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