21703

Ballenger Creek, MD

Frederick County · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area

NEW DESIGN - FREDERICK COUNTY

Is tap water in District 23, Ballenger (21703) safe to drink?

Source: Official EPA UCMR5 federal monitoring data. Last tested October 2025.

City:

Frederick, MD

CDP:

Braddock Heights, MD

Townships:

District 23, Ballenger, MD
District 1, Buckeystown, MD
District 2, Frederick, MD
District 24, Braddock, MD
District 14, Jefferson, MD

Neighborhoods:

Monarch Ridge
Overlook
Hillcrest Orchard
Golf View
Frederick Heights
Field Pointe

The short answer for District 23, Ballenger (21703)

Ballenger Creek tap water has 6 contaminants above EPA guidelines, including PFPeA at 8.0× the limit (tested December 2023). See the full compound-by-compound breakdown and filter recommendations.

The health risk for Ballenger Creek

PFAS ('forever chemicals') have been detected above EPA limits in this water system's most recent tests. These synthetic chemicals do not break down in the body and are linked to a range of health effects. A certified filter is strongly recommended.

PFBS, PFHpA, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA above limit.

PFPeA concentration (µg/L) December 2023

0 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 0.05 µg/L

0.024 µg/L

Detected

µg/L

0.003 µg/L

EPA limit

guideline

700% above limit

Comparison

vs. guideline

EPA limit: 0.003 µg/L | Your water: 0.024 µg/L

Certified Filters for Ballenger Creek Tap Water

PFPeA (a PFAS 'forever chemical') was detected above EPA limits. These filters are independently certified to reduce common drinking-water contaminants.

Water filter recommendation for Ballenger Creek tap water: Epic Pure XP Water Filter Pitcher

Pitcher filter

Epic Pure XP Water Filter Pitcher

NSF-certified dual-layer filtration reduces 70+ contaminants including PFAS, lead, chlorine, microplastics, and bacteria.

NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 & P473Removes 99.99% PFASMade in USABPA-free

Best for renters or quick setup. No installation needed.

Get the Epic Pure XP →

Most elevated compounds

Compound	Measurement	EPA Limit	Comparison
PFPeA Tested: December 2023 · Water Pump House	0.024 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	700% above limit
PFBS Tested: December 2023 · Water Pump House	0.014 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	377% above limit
PFOS Tested: December 2023 · Water Pump House	0.015 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	282% above limit
PFHpA Tested: December 2023 · Water Pump House	0.009 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	207% above limit
PFOA Tested: December 2023 · Water Pump House	0.010 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	152% above limit

View all tested compounds

Water Pump House · Tested: December 2023

Compound	Measurement	EPA Limit	Comparison
PFPeA	0.024 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	700% above limit
PFBS	0.014 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	377% above limit
PFOS	0.015 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	282% above limit
PFHpA	0.009 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	207% above limit
PFOA	0.010 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	152% above limit
lithium	9.280 µg/L	10 µg/L	93% of limit
PFHxA	0.015 µg/L	3 µg/L	0.5% of limit
PFBA	0.011 µg/L	6 µg/L	0.2% of limit
PFHxS	<0.003 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
HFPO-DA	<0.005 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFNA	<0.004 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
4:2 FTS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
6:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
8:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit
ADONA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDoA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFTrDA	<0.007 µg/L	0.007 µg/L	Below limit
PFUnA	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit

New Design Plant 1 & 2 · Tested: October 2025

Compound	Measurement	EPA Limit	Comparison
PFPeA	0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	10% above limit
lithium	<9.000 µg/L	10 µg/L	Below limit
PFHxS	<0.003 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
HFPO-DA	<0.005 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFNA	<0.004 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFHxA	<0.003 µg/L	3 µg/L	Below limit
PFBA	<0.005 µg/L	6 µg/L	Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
4:2 FTS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
6:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
8:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit
ADONA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFBS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDoA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFOA	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
PFOS	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
PFTrDA	<0.007 µg/L	0.007 µg/L	Below limit
PFUnA	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit

Fredercik County Intertie · Tested: December 2024

Compound	Measurement	EPA Limit	Comparison
lithium	<9.000 µg/L	10 µg/L	Below limit
PFHxS	<0.003 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
HFPO-DA	<0.005 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFNA	<0.004 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFHxA	<0.003 µg/L	3 µg/L	Below limit
PFBA	<0.005 µg/L	6 µg/L	Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
4:2 FTS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
6:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
8:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit
ADONA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFBS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDoA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFOA	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
PFOS	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
PFPeA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFTrDA	<0.007 µg/L	0.007 µg/L	Below limit
PFUnA	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit

Lester R. Dingle Filter Plant · Tested: December 2024

Compound	Measurement	EPA Limit	Comparison
lithium	<9.000 µg/L	10 µg/L	Below limit
PFHxS	<0.003 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
HFPO-DA	<0.005 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFNA	<0.004 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFHxA	<0.003 µg/L	3 µg/L	Below limit
PFBA	<0.005 µg/L	6 µg/L	Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
4:2 FTS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
6:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
8:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit
ADONA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFBS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDoA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFOA	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
PFOS	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
PFPeA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFTrDA	<0.007 µg/L	0.007 µg/L	Below limit
PFUnA	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit

Linganore Creek Filter Plant · Tested: December 2024

Compound	Measurement	EPA Limit	Comparison
lithium	<9.000 µg/L	10 µg/L	Below limit
PFHxS	<0.003 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
HFPO-DA	<0.005 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFNA	<0.004 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFHxA	<0.003 µg/L	3 µg/L	Below limit
PFBA	<0.005 µg/L	6 µg/L	Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
4:2 FTS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
6:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
8:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit
ADONA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFBS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDoA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFOA	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
PFOS	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
PFPeA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFTrDA	<0.007 µg/L	0.007 µg/L	Below limit
PFUnA	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit

Monocacy River Filter Plant · Tested: December 2024

Compound	Measurement	EPA Limit	Comparison
lithium	<9.000 µg/L	10 µg/L	Below limit
PFHxS	<0.003 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
HFPO-DA	<0.005 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFNA	<0.004 µg/L	0.01 µg/L	Below limit
PFHxA	<0.003 µg/L	3 µg/L	Below limit
PFBA	<0.005 µg/L	6 µg/L	Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
4:2 FTS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
6:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
8:2 FTS	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit
ADONA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFBS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFDoA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFHpS	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFOA	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
PFOS	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Below limit
PFPeA	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Below limit
PFTrDA	<0.007 µg/L	0.007 µg/L	Below limit
PFUnA	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Below limit

Water utilities serving ZIP 21703

Service area boundaries are approximate and based on state filings or modeled estimates. Contact your utility to confirm exact service at a specific address.

NEW DESIGN - FREDERICK COUNTYAction advised
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLAction advised
CITY OF FREDERICKLooks OK

Modeled boundaries are shown with a dashed outline. Outlines appear when service-area boundary data is available for this ZIP.

Frequently Asked Questions about ZIP 21703 Tap Water

What contaminants are above EPA limits in ZIP 21703?

ZIP 21703 has 6 contaminants above EPA health guidelines in the latest available data, including PFPeA at 8.0x the EPA guideline. The full table on this page lists every tested compound and its measured level.

Will boiling ZIP 21703 tap water remove PFPeA?

No. Boiling does not remove PFAS, and the compounds can actually become more concentrated as water evaporates. To reduce PFAS at home, use a filter independently certified to NSF/ANSI P473 (activated-carbon pitcher or under-sink) or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis).

Do basic pitcher filters remove PFPeA?

Most basic pitcher filters are only certified to NSF/ANSI 42 or 53, which do not cover PFAS. Look for a filter independently certified to NSF/ANSI P473 (activated-carbon pitcher or under-sink) or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) on the spec sheet.

Who provides tap water in ZIP 21703?

Public records identify NEW DESIGN - FREDERICK COUNTY as a primary water system associated with ZIP 21703. Service boundaries can vary by address, so confirm exact service with the utility.

When was ZIP 21703 tap water last tested?

The most recent test date used in this report is October 2025. EnviroClarity last refreshed this page on 2026-05-05.

Where can I find the official water quality report for ZIP 21703?

Every U.S. public water system is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Contact NEW DESIGN - FREDERICK COUNTY or visit their website for the latest official report covering ZIP 21703. The EPA also maintains a national CCR locator.

Primary source EPA UCMR5 (2023-2025)

Guideline source EPA drinking water standard (PFPeA: 0,003 µg/L)

Last tested October 2025

Last page update 2026-05-05

Check another ZIP code

Nearby ZIP reports

Data reflects publicly reported utility records from EPA datasets and local utility disclosures. This information is educational and not medical advice.

Protect your water in Ballenger Creek → see certified filters