Is Salisbury, MD Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Salisbury tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 5.9 ppt, PFOS: 13.75 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Salisbury Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Salisbury Compares
Salisbury's water is 78% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 82% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Maryland, it ranks #15 of 15 cities (55% below the state average of 67 PPM). Among smaller cities, Salisbury ranks #211 of 288 for hardness.
What Salisbury's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 30 PPM - Low Concern
Salisbury's water is slightly hard at 30 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Salisbury is softer than 82% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are a serious concern here. Salisbury has PFOA at 5.9 ppt and PFOS at 13.75 ppt — the EPA's 2024 limit is 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS individually. PFAS don't break down in your body or the environment. Research links long-term exposure to increased cancer risk, thyroid issues, and immune system problems. The fix: a whole-house activated carbon filter or a point-of-use reverse osmosis system. Look for NSF P473 certification — that's the standard that specifically tests for PFAS removal.
What's in the Treatment Process
Chromium-6 is naturally present in Salisbury's aquifer geology at 0.211 ppb — 11x the EWG health guideline. There's no federal legal limit for chromium-6 specifically (only total chromium), which is why EWG tracks it separately. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 30 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 49 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 37.3 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 5.9 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 13.75 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 3 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.6 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 4.31 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Salisbury Homes
Recommended Filter for Salisbury
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 5.9 ppt, PFOS: 13.75 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.6 mg/L chlorine, many Salisbury residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Salisbury
With PFAS at 37.3 ppt in Salisbury's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request City of Salisbury Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Salisbury's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Salisbury Water
Water Source: Wicomico River & wells (Groundwater)
Population Served: 30,343
Hardness: 30 PPM (1.8 grains per gallon)
Salisbury draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Wicomico River & wells. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why mineral content varies by aquifer depth and geology. The geological profile determines hardness, iron, and trace mineral levels. The system serves 30,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Salisbury Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Salisbury Water in Salisbury, MD, including ZIP codes:
19930, 19931, 19933, 19939, 19940, 19944, 19945, 19947, 19951, 19956, 19966, 19967, 19970, 19973, 19975, 20628, 20680, 20687, 21609, 21613, 21622, 21626, 21627, 21631, 21632, 21634, 21643, 21648, 21655, 21659, 21664, 21672, 21673, 21675, 21677, 21801, 21802, 21803, 21804, 21810, 21811, 21813, 21814, 21817, 21821, 21822, 21824, 21826, 21829, 21830, 21835, 21836, 21837, 21838, 21840, 21841, 21842, 21843, 21849, 21850, 21851, 21852, 21853, 21856, 21857, 21861, 21862, 21863, 21864, 21865, 21866, 21867, 21869, 21871, 21872, 21874, 21875, 21890, 23301, 23302, 23303, 23308, 23336, 23337, 23356, 23357, 23359, 23389, 23395, 23396, 23399, 23404, 23407, 23409, 23410, 23412, 23414, 23415, 23416, 23417, 23418, 23421, 23426, 23427, 23440, 23441, 23442, 23483, 23488
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Salisbury to Other Maryland Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Salisbury Water
Is Salisbury tap water safe to drink?
Where does Salisbury's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Salisbury?
How do I remove PFAS from Salisbury tap water?
What water filter is best for Salisbury?
Is Salisbury water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Salisbury's water?
Is chromium-6 in Salisbury's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Salisbury Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 30 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Salisbury's water data.