Is Urbana, MD Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
82.7/100
waterverge.com Urbana, MD — Water Quality Report
Urbana's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 6 water systems serve approximately 1,686 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 10 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.
What to know about Urbana's water
Urbana ranks #40 out of 107 cities in Maryland for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Urbana purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, Urbana may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 7 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Urbana, MD water safe to drink?
Urbana's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 6 water systems serve approximately 1,686 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Urbana
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Urbana's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.7/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4091). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3349). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Urbana's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Urbana's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 7 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Anne Arundel County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1971. 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 South Fork Jabez Branch, Little Patuxent River, Patuxent River, Patuxent R At Gov Bridge Natural Area Nr Bowie.
Where does Urbana's water come from?
Urbana's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 6 water systems serving approximately 1,686 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include South Fork Jabez Branch (river), Little Patuxent River (river), Patuxent River (river), Patuxent R At Gov Bridge Natural Area Nr Bowie (river).
What Urbana residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Urbana's water.
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.
Urbana'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Urbana
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Urbana, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
NEUTRON PRODUCTS INC. DICKERSON, MD20842 | — | — | 8.5 mi |
WABTEC RAILWAY ELECTRONICS GERMANTOWN, MD20876 | — | — | 9.4 mi |
GRIFFITH ENERGY SERVICES - DAMASCUS FUELS PLANT DAMASCUS, MD20872 | — | — | 7.6 mi |
GRIFFITH ENERGY SERVICES INC FREDERICK BULK PLANT FREDERICK, MD21701 | — | — | 7.8 mi |
MCCORMICK PAINT WORKS CO FREDERICK, MD21704 | — | — | 4.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of Urbana
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.
- FORT DETRICK AREA B GROUND WATER9.4 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
Flood & disaster history
Anne Arundel County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1971. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Urbana compares by contaminant
Explore where Urbana ranks among all Maryland cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Urbana's water comes from
Urbana purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Urbana's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 1,686 people through 6 water systems.
Water bodies near Urbana
Urbana is located near 4 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Urbana
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ILUR LIBERTY COMMONS MHP LLC | IL0195400 | 865 | GWP |
| ILUR WOODS EDGE MHP LLC | IL0195360 | 373 | GWP |
| ILUR PORTFOLIO 5-SURBANA ESTATES MHP LLC | IL0195390 | 209 | GWP |
| ILUR PORTFOLIOS - CARRIAGE ESTATES LLC | IL0195350 | 115 | GWP |
| ILUR PORTFOLIO 5 - WILSON MHP LLC | IL0195370 | 62 | GWP |
| ILUR PORTFOLIO 5 - TRAILSIDE MHP LLC | IL0195380 | 62 | GWP |
How Urbana compares
Full Maryland rankings →Urbana's score of 82.7/100 is above the average of 60/100 among major Maryland cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Maryland rankings →About Urbana, MD
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Urbana's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Champaign
Frequently asked questions
Is Urbana, MD tap water safe to drink?
Urbana's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #40 out of 107 cities tested in Maryland.
What contaminants are in Urbana's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.
How is Urbana'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 Urbana?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Urbana's water come from?
Urbana's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 6 water systems serving approximately 1,686 residents.
Is Urbana's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Urbana 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 10 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 Urbana's water compare to other cities?
Urbana ranks #40 out of 107 cities in Maryland (better than 63% of state cities) and #6824 out of 15744 cities nationally (57th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.