City of Salisbury: what's in the water
11 contaminants and water quality measures were reported as detected in the 2025 Water Quality Report, covering 2025.
Where this comes from: Every number below is copied from the published Consumer Confidence Report for City of Salisbury, 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? Parts of 21801 and 21804 are outside city limits and may be on private wells or another system. Check your water bill to confirm your provider.
Everything City of Salisbury 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.
LeadMetalsZero ppb15 ppbAction level7/16/2024
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 90th %: Zero ppb (90th percentile) · Action level 15 ppb · health goal Zero · violation: NO · sampled 7/16/2024
PFASIndustrial & farm chemicals · 6 results6.875 ppt (ng/L) +5 more4 pptMCL2023
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
- PFOS: 6.875 ppt (ng/L) (average) · range ND–20 · MCL 4 · health goal zero · violation: NO · sampled 2023
- PFOA: 1.475 ppt (ng/L) (average) · range ND–5.9 · MCL 4 · health goal zero · violation: NO · sampled 2023
- PFHxS: 2.35 ppt (ng/L) (average) · range ND–6.2 · MCL 10 · health goal 10 · violation: NO · sampled 2023
- PFBS: 2.575 ppt (ng/L) (average) · range ND–6.2 · limit 10 · health goal 10 · violation: NO · sampled 2023Note: The report lists this under detected unregulated contaminants. PFBS has no individual federal MCL.
- PFHxA: 2.0 ppt (ng/L) (average) · range ND–4.1 · limit 10 · health goal 10 · violation: NO · sampled 2023Note: The report lists this under detected unregulated contaminants. PFHxA has no federal MCL.
- PFPeA (printed as PFPPeA): 1.9 ppt (ng/L) (average) · range ND–3.8 · limit 10 · health goal 10 · violation: NO · sampled 2023Note: The report lists this under detected unregulated contaminants. PFPeA has no federal MCL.
NitrateNutrients · 2 results5.9 ppm +1 more10 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 (as Nitrogen): 5.9 ppm (highest level found) · range 3.3–5.9 · MCL 10 · health goal 10 · violation: NO · sampled 2025
- Nitrate (as Nitrite): 5.1 ppm (level found) · MCL 10 · health goal 10 · violation: NO · sampled 2024Note: Name and values shown as printed in the report.
- From the report: The report notes that the water supply is susceptible to contamination by nitrate.
Total TrihalomethanesDisinfection byproducts · 2 results0.00062 mg/L +1 more0.1 mg/LMCL2023
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
- Dibromochloromethane: 0.00062 mg/L (level found) · MCL 0.1 · health goal 0.06 · violation: NO · sampled 2023Note: Dibromochloromethane is one of the four trihalomethanes regulated together as TTHM. Values shown as printed.
- TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes): 3.0 ppb (locational running annual average) · range 0–4.4 · MCL 80 · health goal Zero · violation: NO · sampled Quarterly/2025
Haloacetic AcidsDisinfection byproducts3.0 ppb60 ppbMCLQuarterly/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
- HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids): 3.0 ppb (locational running annual average) · range 0–17.0 · MCL 60 · health goal Zero · violation: NO · sampled Quarterly/2025
Beta/photon emittersRadiological4.9–6.9 pCi/L50 pCi/LMCL2021
Your body
According to EPA, long-term exposure above the federal limit has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Your home & appliances
Beta emitters do not affect plumbing.
What it is
A screening measurement of beta radiation in water, from natural minerals (like potassium-40) and some human-made sources. Water systems compare results to a 50 pCi/L screening level.
Exactly as reported
- Beta/photon emitters: 4.9–6.9 pCi/L (range) · MCL 50 · health goal Zero · violation: NO · sampled 2021
CopperMetals.10 ppm1.3 ppmAction level7/16/2024
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 90th %: .10 ppm (90th percentile) · Action level 1.3 ppm · health goal 1.3 · violation: NO · sampled 7/16/2024
FluorideMinerals0.27–0.42 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: 0.27–0.42 ppm (level found) · MCL 4 · health goal 4 · violation: NO · sampled 2025
ChlorineDisinfectants1.0 ppm4.0 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: 1.0 ppm (level found) · range 1.0–1.0 · Max. disinfectant 4.0 · health goal 4 · violation: NO · sampled 2025
BariumMetals0.170 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: 0.170 ppm (level found) · MCL 2 · health goal 2 · violation: NO · sampled 2025
AsbestosIndustrial & farm chemicals0.19 MFL (million fibers per liter)7 MFLMCL2024
Your body
According to EPA, long-term exposure above the federal limit has been linked to an increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps.
Your home & appliances
Fibers in water indicate wear in asbestos-cement water mains. They do not affect household plumbing.
What it is
Mineral fibers that can enter water from aging asbestos-cement water mains or natural deposits. Measured in million fibers per liter (MFL).
Exactly as reported
- Asbestos: 0.19 MFL (million fibers per liter) (level found) · MCL 7 · health goal 7 · violation: NO · sampled 2024
Source: City of Salisbury, 2025 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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