01The verdict: is Union Bridge water safe?
Union Bridge's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 997 residents using groundwater (wells).
3 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Union Bridge's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 997 residents using ground water under influence.
Lead levels were measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 5 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
Union Bridge ranks #27 out of 107 cities in Maryland for water quality, placing it above average in the state. Union Bridge relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. As a small community water system, Union Bridge may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Union Bridge's water
Every contaminant flagged in Union Bridge, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 4.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Maryland
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Maryland
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Union Bridge's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 5 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Union Bridge.
▼ Down 6 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 4 ppb (2024) — 27% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Union Bridge's water comes from
Union Bridge's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Ground Water Under Influence
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
997 people
Residents served across Union Bridge's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 997 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOWN OF UNION BRIDGE | MD0060013 | 997 | Ground Water Under Influence |
Water bodies near Union Bridge
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Union Bridge's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Carroll County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Carroll County is in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Union Bridge compares
Scores for nearby Maryland cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Maryland average (60/100)
Union Bridge scores 85.7/100 — above the Maryland average of 60/100. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities. Full Maryland rankings →
95 / 100FBaltimore, MD
39.8 / 100FMillersville, MD
41.6 / 100CColumbia, MD
66 / 100FFrederick, MD
37.5 / 100FLa Plata, MD
39.5 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Union Bridge's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Union Bridge's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Union Bridge alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Union Bridge, MD tap water safe to drink?
Union Bridge's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #27 out of 107 cities tested in Maryland.
What contaminants are in Union Bridge's water?
Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.
How is Union Bridge'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 Union Bridge?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Union Bridge's water come from?
Union Bridge's water is sourced from Ground water under influence. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 997 residents.
What health violations has Union Bridge's water system had?
Union Bridge has 3 health-based violations 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. 3 violations remain unresolved.
Is Union Bridge's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Union Bridge uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 5 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Union Bridge's water compare to other cities?
Union Bridge ranks #27 out of 107 cities in Maryland (better than 75% of state cities) and #5148 out of 15382 cities nationally (67th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Union Bridge's small water system affect quality?
Union Bridge's system serves approximately 997 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 5 violations on record.