The Town of La Plata released its 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report showing the municipal system met all state and federal standards.
The report, prepared with Maryland Environmental Service, covers water pumped from five deep wells — four in the Lower Patapsco aquifer and one in the Upper Patapsco formation — each more than 1,000 feet deep. After pumping, the town adds disinfectant to protect against microbial contaminants.
“The Town of La Plata Drinking Water met all State and Federal requirements,” the report states. No contaminants exceeded maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or action levels.
Gross alpha emitters, naturally occurring radioactive substances, reached a highest level of 7.8 picocuries per liter — well below the 15 pCi/l MCL. Lead and copper testing from 2023 showed no sites exceeded action levels.
PFAS sampling conducted in July, October and November 2025 returned results below detectable levels. PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” have drawn statewide attention in Maryland. The Maryland Department of the Environment has monitored community water systems since 2020, and the EPA continues regulating six specific compounds.
In contrast, other Maryland communities have faced PFAS challenges. Recent reports highlight contamination plumes affecting private wells near industrial sites and some school systems. La Plata’s results align with the state’s proactive testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5), which targets systems serving at least 3,300 people.
The La Plata system serves residents through a network of wells and distribution lines. An initial service line inventory was completed and submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment on Oct. 16, 2024, fulfilling federal Lead and Copper Rule revisions. A copy is available on the town website.
Residents receive high-quality water that meets or exceeds Safe Drinking Water Act standards enforced by the Maryland Department of the Environment. The town operates the treatment facility and performs regular monitoring.
Kirk Parks, utilities supervisor, is the contact for questions. He can be reached at 301-934-8421 or Kparks@townoflaplata.org.
The report reminds readers that some people — including infants, elderly and those with compromised immune systems — may be more vulnerable to contaminants. It recommends consulting health care providers and offers the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Advanced technology available to customers includes the town’s Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system. Residents can create an online account at laplatamd.watersmart.com to monitor usage and receive leak alerts.
La Plata’s water source is groundwater. As water travels through the ground, it can dissolve naturally occurring minerals and pick up substances from human activity. The town treats the supply according to EPA regulations.
The 2025 report includes definitions of key terms such as maximum contaminant level (MCL), action level and treatment technique. It also explains possible sources of contaminants in source water, including microbial, inorganic, organic and radioactive types.
