Tap Water Results

Is Bowie, MD tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. 2 PFAS were detected below the limits.

2 public water systems serve parts of Bowie. The largest, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, serves 1.9 million people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission

1.9 million people · Surface water · EPA ID MD0150005

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2020, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) No results since 2020
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission results

Across Maryland, 13 of 76 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 1 system were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Maryland results.

Bowie homes and lead pipes

47%
of homes built before 1980 (Maryland 51%, US 50%)
2%
built before 1950 (Maryland 16%)
16%
of households rent (Maryland 32%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Bowie city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Bowie

  • City of Bowie
    25,000 people · Groundwater · Maryland · lists this city
    Lithium above screening levelAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
College Park 11 mi
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Washington Suburban Sanitary CommissionNone above limits–
Laurel 12 mi
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Washington Suburban Sanitary CommissionNone above limits–
Annapolis 13 mi
City of Annapolis
City of AnnapolisNone above limits6.3 ppb
Rockville 24 mi
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Washington Suburban Sanitary CommissionNone above limits–
Baltimore 25 mi
City of Baltimore
City of BaltimoreNone above limits2.74 ppb
Gaithersburg 28 mi
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Washington Suburban Sanitary CommissionNone above limits–
Bowie ZIP codes (2)
  • 20715
  • 20716

Questions

Is Bowie tap water safe to drink?

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Bowie, MD?

2 public water systems serve parts of Bowie. The largest is Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (1.9 million people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Bowie tap water have PFAS?

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission had 2 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Bowie homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 47% of Bowie homes as built before 1980 (Maryland: 51%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.