Town of Trappe: what's in the water
10 contaminants and water quality measures were reported as detected in the Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2025, covering 2025.
Where this comes from: Every number below is copied from the published Consumer Confidence Report for Town of Trappe, 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? Homes outside the town's water service area in 21673 may use private wells. Check your water bill to confirm your provider.
Everything Town of Trappe 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.
LeadMetalsND ppb15 ppbAction level2022–2024
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 (distribution): ND ppb (90th percentile) · Action level 15 · health goal 0 · violation: N · sampled 2022–2024
Total TrihalomethanesDisinfection byproducts · 3 results17 ppb +2 more80 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
- TTHM [Total trihalomethanes]: 17 ppb (highest lraa) · range 17–17 · MCL 80 · health goal 0 · violation: N · sampled 2025
- Chloroform: 0.00316 ppb (level detected) · MCL 0 · health goal 0.07 · violation: N · sampled 2021Note: Chloroform is one of the four trihalomethanes regulated together as TTHM (federal MCL 80 ppb total). The limit columns are shown as printed.
- Dibromochloromethane: 0.00083 mg/L (level detected) · MCL 0.1 · health goal 0.06 · violation: N · sampled 5/10/2021Note: Dibromochloromethane is one of the four trihalomethanes regulated together as TTHM. Values shown as printed.
Haloacetic AcidsDisinfection byproducts6 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
- HAA5 Haloacetic Acids: 6 ppb (highest lraa) · range 5.9–5.9 · MCL 60 · health goal 0 · violation: N · sampled 2025
RadiumRadiological0.5 pCi/L5 pCi/LMCL5/14/2024
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
- Radium-228: 0.5 pCi/L (level detected) · MCL 5 · health goal 0 · violation: N · sampled 5/14/2024
Beta/photon emittersRadiological7.6 pCi/L50 pCi/LMCL2024
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
- Gross Beta Particle Activity: 7.6 pCi/L (level detected) · MCL 50 · health goal 0 · violation: N · sampled 2024
CopperMetals0.0227 ppm1.3 ppmAction level2022–2024
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 (distribution): 0.0227 ppm (90th percentile) · range <0.005 · Action level 1.3 · health goal 1.3 · violation: N · sampled 2022–2024
FluorideMinerals0.38 ppm4.0 ppmMCL2021
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: 0.38 ppm (level detected) · MCL 4.0 · health goal 4.0 · violation: N · sampled 2021
ChlorineDisinfectants2.6 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: 2.6 ppm (average) · Max. disinfectant 4 · health goal 4 · violation: N · sampled 2025
ChromiumMetals2.5 ppb100 ppbMCL2021
Your body
According to EPA, long-term exposure above the federal limit has been linked to allergic dermatitis. Chromium-6 is the more toxic form and is under ongoing EPA review.
Your home & appliances
At drinking-water levels, chromium does not usually affect plumbing or appliances.
What it is
A metal found naturally in rocks and soil and released by steel, pulp, and other industries. Water reports usually list “total chromium,” which includes chromium-3 and chromium-6.
Exactly as reported
- Chromium: 2.5 ppb (level detected) · MCL 100 · health goal 100 · violation: N · sampled 2021
NickelMetals0.0012 mg/L0.1 mg/LMCL2021
Your body
The most common health effect of nickel is an allergic skin reaction in sensitive people. Some water systems still monitor nickel, but it does not currently have an enforceable federal drinking water limit.
Your home & appliances
Nickel can be a sign of corrosion in metal plumbing components.
What it is
A metal found naturally in soil and rock, which can also leach from some metal pipes and fittings.
Exactly as reported
- Nickel: 0.0012 mg/L (level detected) · MCL 0.1 · health goal 0.1 · violation: N · sampled 2021Note: The report lists 0.1 mg/L. Nickel does not currently have an enforceable federal MCL.
Source: Town of Trappe, Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2025 (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.
Your tap may differ from the system average.
Home plumbing can change what comes out of your faucet. Our free in-home test shows what's in your water.