Westminster, Maryland’s
Home for Water Softeners,
Water Filters, and Water Delivery

Yes, Westminster’s Wakefield Valley Water System met federal drinking water standards. However, meeting regulatory standards does not mean the water is free from all contaminants. The report detected nitrate, PFOA, PFBS, lead, copper, chromium, barium, chlorine, disinfection byproducts, and naturally occurring radioactive materials. Many homeowners choose additional drinking water filtration to reduce contaminants they prefer not to consume every day.

Westminster’s Wakefield Valley Water System is supplied by groundwater pumped from two wells located in Wakefield Valley in central-western Carroll County. Groundwater sources can be influenced by surrounding land use, agricultural activity, naturally occurring minerals, and environmental conditions before treatment.

Yes. Like all groundwater systems, Westminster’s wells can be influenced by contaminants from agricultural runoff, septic systems, stormwater, naturally occurring minerals, and other human activities identified in source water assessments. The report notes that groundwater sources may contain contaminants from both natural and man-made sources.

The water quality report lists a monitoring violation that occurred between April and May 2025 because not enough routine total coliform samples were collected and reported during that period. The notice states there was no action required for residents and that the city was collecting additional samples to return to compliance. The report did not identify a contaminant exceedance associated with the violation.

Yes. Westminster detected PFOA at 2.0 ppt and PFBS at 5.5 ppt during the most recent monitoring report. PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they can persist in the environment and the human body for long periods. While the reported levels were below current federal standards, many homeowners choose reverse osmosis systems to help reduce PFAS in drinking water.

Yes. Westminster reported nitrate at 2.91 ppm. This is below the federal drinking water standard of 10 ppm, but nitrate remains a common groundwater contaminant often associated with fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and natural deposits. Some homeowners, particularly those with infants or young children, choose to reduce nitrate in their drinking water.

The mos recent Wakefield Valley Water System report did not list arsenic as a detected contaminant. No arsenic result appeared in the detected contaminant tables provided in the report.

The most recent Wakefield Valley Water System report did not list fluoride as a detected contaminant and did not report fluoride monitoring results in the water quality tables provided.

Yes. Westminster reported total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) at 34 ppb and haloacetic acids (HAA5s) at 4 ppb. Both were below federal drinking water standards. These compounds can form when disinfectants such as chlorine react with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. Activated carbon filtration can help reduce many disinfection byproducts as well as chlorine taste and odor.

Westminster uses chlorine to disinfect drinking water and help control microbial contaminants throughout the distribution system. The system reported a highest running annual average chlorine residual of 1.4 ppm. Chlorine plays an important role in maintaining safe drinking water, though some homeowners choose filtration systems to reduce chlorine taste and odor.

The Wakefield Valley Water System report does not provide a hardness measurement. Because Westminster’s water comes from groundwater wells, hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium may be present. A local water test is the best way to determine whether your Westminster home has hard water and whether a water softener may be beneficial.

Westminster reported lead at less than 0.005 ppm (5 ppb) at the 90th percentile, below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Lead typically enters drinking water through household plumbing materials rather than the source water itself. Because lead levels can vary between homes depending on plumbing conditions, many homeowners choose certified drinking water filtration systems for added protection.

Westminster reported copper at 0.44 ppm at the 90th percentile, below the EPA action level of 1.3 ppm. Copper commonly enters drinking water through household plumbing and fixtures. While the reported level met drinking water standards, a water test can help determine whether plumbing-related metals are present in water at a specific home.

You can access the most recent Westminster Water Quality Report here. Culligan Mid-Atlantic can also test your home’s tap water and help explain what may be coming from local groundwater sources, surface water influence, water treatment conditions, and your household plumbing.