This week, if your home's water treatment equipment has failed, you must decide how to proceed to ensure safe drinking water for your household in Baltimore City.
Understanding What 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' Indicate in Baltimore's Water Records
'Detected' Means Measurement, Not a Problem
Government sampling from the City of Baltimore’s public water system detects various constituents in water but does not indicate a violation or unsafe condition by itself.
'Median' Shows Typical Values Across Samples
The median is the middle value of measurements taken throughout the water system, helpful to understand usual water quality but not definitive for individual homes.
'Range' Indicates Variation, Not Individual Levels
The range shows the spread between lowest and highest values found system-wide and does not determine a specific home's water condition.
Notes to Gather Before Seeking Water Treatment Advice
Confirm Your Household’s Water Source
Baltimore City’s water supply is surface water serving over 1.6 million people, which affects what treatment may be needed.
Identify Any Existing Equipment and Its Condition
Document the details of your failed equipment and any maintenance history to provide context for treatment options.
Collect Any Recent Water Test Results
Since public system data does not give your home's exact water quality, arrange for a current water test of your household's drinking water as the next step.
Factors Changing Treatment Needs for Large, Secondary, or Seasonal Households
Larger Households May Require Higher Treatment Capacity
More occupants increase daily water use and the volume needing treatment, influencing equipment sizing.
Second or Seasonal Homes May Have Different Usage Patterns
Irregular use could affect water quality within pipes and influence treatment frequency and approach.
Storage and Setup May Differ in Non-Primary Residences
Consideration of how water sits in plumbing over time is important for water quality in such properties.
How Baltimore's Public Water System Records Differ from Private Well Testing
Public Records Reflect System-Wide Sampling, Not Individual Homes
Measurements cover the entire distribution system; your home's water quality may vary based on plumbing and location.
Lead Levels Measured at Plumbing Points, Not Source Water
See the lead 90th percentile figure from distribution sampling, which gauges plumbing-related exposure but not raw water.
Compliance Checks Differ from Personalized Water Tests
EPA reports include both health-based and aesthetic standards, but these are not direct assessments of your specific water supply.
Example: Interpreting Median and Range in Baltimore’s Lead Sampling
Lead 90th Percentile at 0.00274 mg/L
This value shows lead measured at household taps across the system as of the latest 2024 sample date and is below EPA’s action levels, reflecting overall water system conditions, not your home’s individual lead level.
Using This Data to Inform Your Next Step
Because this is a distribution-wide figure, only a test of your own tap water can determine whether your household water is affected.
How the Pentair Safe Drinking Water Filter Addresses Your Household’s Needs
Removes or Reduces Contaminants Detected in Public Water
The Pentair system is designed to filter water at the point of use, reducing constituents that may affect taste, appearance, or safety based on your household’s specific water quality.
Ships Ready to Configure for Your Home
This equipment arrives ready for you to connect according to your water treatment plan without requiring specialized setup services.
The Single Test to Order Next: Arrange for a comprehensive water quality test of your household’s tap water. A test report confirming the presence or absence of contaminants will clarify if treatment is needed and what type. This test result is essential to decide how to proceed after equipment failure, ensuring safe drinking water for your family.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2024-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA SDWIS record for CITY OF BALTIMORE (MD0300002), surface water supply, serving 1600000 people: 4 health-based violations of 34 total; lead 90th percentile 0.00274 mg/L
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