WaterVerge

Is Funkstown, MD Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MD0210008
Overall Score
85.8 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#26 of 107 in Maryland Top 33% nationally
Private
Limited data available
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
85.8/100
waterverge.com
A- 85.8/100

Funkstown, MD — Water Quality Report

Funkstown's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,300 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead data is not currently available for this system. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 2 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Funkstown's water

Funkstown ranks #26 out of 107 cities in Maryland for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

As a small community water system, Funkstown may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
85.8 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.8/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
17/20
B
Lead and copper rule compliance.
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Funkstown, MD water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Funkstown's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (85.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,300 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

1
Active Violations
8 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Funkstown

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Funkstown's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (85.8/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE SANDY

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4091). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE SANDY

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3349). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Nitrate.

Violation history

Funkstown's water system has 2 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved.

OtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2013 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 1995 Nitrate Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Washington County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Conococheague Creek, Marsh Run, Rockymarsh Run, Antietam Creek.

HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-4091
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3349
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-3335

Where does Funkstown's water come from?

Funkstown's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,300 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Conococheague Creek (river), Marsh Run (river), Rockymarsh Run (river), Antietam Creek (river).

What Funkstown residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Funkstown's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Compliance Record

Violation summary

2
Total violations
1
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jul 2013
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

2 Total
1 Active
1 Health-based
1 Resolved
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Nitrate Rule
1
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1996
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Funkstown

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Funkstown, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
FIL-TEC INC
Textiles · NA
SMITHSBURG, MD21783
7.1 mi
MACK TRUCKS INC
Transportation Equipment · VOLVO GROUP
HAGERSTOWN, MD21742
5.0 mi
HOLCIM(US) INC.
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · HOLCIM PARTICIPATIONS (US) INC
HAGERSTOWN, MD21742
3.1 mi
PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC - HAGERSTOWN
Food · LAND O LAKES INC
HAGERSTOWN, MD21740
4.3 mi
GREAT SOUTHERN WOOD - MD INC.
Wood Products · GREAT SOUTHERN WOOD PRESERVING INC
HAGERSTOWN, MD21740
1.9 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Funkstown

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Washington County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
17.8%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

8
Declared disasters
Nov 2012
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Washington County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Nov 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #4091
Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #3349
Aug 2011
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #3335
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3251
Sep 2003
HURRICANE ISABEL
Hurricane FEMA #1492
Jan 1996
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1094

Full contaminants report

No contaminant data available for this city.

Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Private
Population Served
1,300
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Funkstown's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Funkstown's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 1,300 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Funkstown

Funkstown is located near 4 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Conococheague Creek
river
Marsh Run
river
Rockymarsh Run
river
Antietam Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Funkstown

System Name PWSID Population Source
TOWN OF FUNKSTOWN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MD0210008 1,300 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Funkstown compares

Full Maryland rankings →

Funkstown's score of 85.8/100 is above the average of 60/100 among major Maryland cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.

Funkstown (this city)
85.8
Laurel
95
Baltimore
39.8
Frederick
37.5
Maryland avg
60
City Profile

About Funkstown, MD

Wikipedia →

Funkstown is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2020 census, Funkstown had a population of 852.

Economic Profile
$52,794
Median Income
$231,598
Median Home Value
$711/mo
Median Rent
4.2%
Unemployment
Community
59.1
Median Age
603
People / sq mi
29.2%
College Educated
61.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Funkstown, MD tap water safe to drink?

Funkstown's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #26 out of 107 cities tested in Maryland.

What contaminants are in Funkstown's water?

2 violations are on record.

How is Funkstown's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Funkstown?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Funkstown's water come from?

Funkstown's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,300 residents.

What health violations has Funkstown's water system had?

Funkstown has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2013. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

How does Funkstown's water compare to other cities?

Funkstown ranks #26 out of 107 cities in Maryland (better than 76% of state cities) and #5110 out of 15744 cities nationally (68th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Funkstown's small water system affect quality?

Funkstown's system serves approximately 1,300 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 2 violations on record.