Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
HOWARD COUNTY D.P.W. DISTRIBUTION
HOWARD COUNTY D.P.W. DISTRIBUTION delivers tap water graded B (78/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 286,158 residents in COLUMBIA, Maryland using surface water (purchased). The most significant water quality concerns are: Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 410-313-4974.
Is COLUMBIA tap water safe to drink?
HOWARD COUNTY D.P.W. DISTRIBUTION delivers tap water that earns a grade of B (78/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — a good rating, with only minor concerns relative to health-based guidelines.
The utility serves 286,158 residents in COLUMBIA, drawing from surface water (purchased).
Public testing data identifies 4 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Chromium (hexavalent). For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
Quick actions for COLUMBIA residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for HOWARD COUNTY D.P.W. DISTRIBUTION.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 38.3 ppb, 638x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 47.0 ppb, 313x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 27.6 ppb, 276x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Contact HOWARD COUNTY D.P.W. DISTRIBUTION
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Recommended water filters for COLUMBIA
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Carbon block (NSF/ANSI 42 + 53)
$40-$750Activated carbon is highly effective for disinfection byproducts like TTHM and HAA5.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 78/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
38.3 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 638× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
47.0 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 313× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
27.6 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 276× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.0263 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.3× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
61.8 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
0.775 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) PFAS |
1.24 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) PFAS |
0.425 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0715 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| 4-Androstene-3,17-dione Other |
0.082 ppt | — | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
HOWARD COUNTY D.P.W. DISTRIBUTION service area
This water system serves 1 community in Howard County, Maryland. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for COLUMBIA water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.