Owings Mills, Maryland’s
Home for Water Softeners,
Water Filters, and Water Delivery

Yes. Owings Mills receives drinking water from Baltimore City’s water system, which met federal and state drinking water standards. However, like most public water systems, the water contains detectable levels of contaminants including PFAS compounds, nitrate, fluoride, chlorine, lead, copper, arsenic, disinfection byproducts, and naturally occurring minerals. Many homeowners choose additional water treatment for added control over what remains in their drinking water.

Owings Mills receives water from Baltimore City’s regional water system. The primary source is surface water collected from rainfall and snowmelt and stored in Liberty Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir, and Prettyboy Reservoir. The system can also access water from the Susquehanna River during drought conditions. Water is treated at the Ashburton and Montebello filtration plants before being distributed throughout Baltimore County communities, including Owings Mills.

Yes. Like all surface water systems, Baltimore’s reservoirs can be affected by stormwater runoff, agricultural activity, wildlife, naturally occurring minerals, and other environmental factors. The reservoirs are protected by extensive watershed lands that help filter pollutants before water reaches the treatment plants, but source water remains vulnerable to contamination from activities occurring throughout the watershed.

No. The most recent Consumer Confidence Report reported no violations for the regulated contaminants detected in the water supply. All reported contaminant levels remained below federal drinking water standards.

Yes. Baltimore’s most recent testing detected several PFAS compounds. PFOA was detected up to 2.17 ppt, PFOS up to 2.43 ppt, PFBS up to 1.64 ppt, and PFHxS up to 2.45 ppt. These levels were below current EPA maximum contaminant levels. PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they break down slowly in the environment and can accumulate over time. Many homeowners choose reverse osmosis systems to help reduce PFAS in drinking water.

Yes. Baltimore reported nitrate levels ranging from 1.58 ppm to 1.70 ppm depending on the treatment plant. These levels were well below the federal drinking water standard of 10 ppm. Nitrate commonly enters source water through fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and natural deposits.

Yes. Arsenic was detected at low levels below 3 ppb. This is below the EPA drinking water standard of 10 ppb. Arsenic can occur naturally as water moves through rock and soil formations.

Yes. Fluoride is added during treatment and was detected at levels ranging from approximately 0.83 ppm to 1.17 ppm. Fluoride is commonly added to support dental health. Some homeowners choose reverse osmosis systems when they prefer additional control over fluoride levels in drinking water.

Yes. Baltimore reported total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) at 72 ppb and haloacetic acids (HAA5s) at 54 ppb. These compounds form when disinfectants react with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. Both levels were below federal drinking water standards. Activated carbon filtration can help reduce these compounds as well as chlorine taste and odor.

Baltimore uses chlorine to disinfect drinking water and protect against harmful bacteria and microorganisms throughout the distribution system. The system reported an annual average chlorine residual of approximately 0.46 ppm. Chlorine is an important part of the treatment process, but some homeowners prefer filtration to reduce chlorine taste and odor.

Baltimore City does not report a hardness measurement in its Consumer Confidence Report. Because Owings Mills receives treated surface water from Baltimore’s reservoir system, hardness levels are generally lower than many groundwater-based systems. A local water test is the best way to determine the hardness level in your home and whether a water softener would be beneficial.

According to Baltimore’s most recent water quality testing, the 90th percentile lead level was less than 1 ppb, which is well below the EPA’s 15 ppb Action Level, and no sampling sites exceeded the Action Level. These results indicate that lead is not currently a widespread concern in the municipal water supply serving Owings Mills. Lead levels can vary from home to home, so many homeowners choose certified drinking water filtration or reverse osmosis for added protection at the tap.

Copper was reported at a 90th percentile level of 112 ppb (0.112 ppm), below the EPA action level of 1.3 ppm. Copper commonly enters drinking water through household plumbing and fixtures. While the reported levels met drinking water standards, testing can help determine whether plumbing-related metals are present in a specific home’s water supply.

You can access the most recent Owings Mills Water Quality Report through the local water provider. 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.