Michigan Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Michigan, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Hesperia has the highest PFAS in Michigan at 42 ppt (11x the EPA limit). Blackman Township has the highest lead at 133 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Michigan
Public water systems in Michigan with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hesperia | Hesperia · 954 served | 42 | 1 | 11x |
| 2 | Independence Township | Clarkston · 11,790 served | 30 | 8 | 8x |
| 3 | Buena Vista Township | Saginaw · 8,676 served | 13 | 1 | 3x |
| 4 | Dundee | Dundee · 5,400 served | 13 | 1 | 3x |
| 5 | Otsego, Mi | – | 13 | 2 | 3x |
| 6 | Allen Park | Allen Park · 28,210 served | 12 | 1 | 3x |
| 7 | Gladstone | Gladstone · 4,632 served | 11 | 1 | 3x |
| 8 | Frenchtown Township | Monroe · 16,481 served | 9.8 | 1 | 2x |
| 9 | Kinross Township | – | 9.3 | 3 | 2x |
| 10 | Midland, City Of | – | 8.9 | 1 | 2x |
| 11 | Kingsford | – | 8.3 | 2 | 2x |
| 12 | Auburn Hills | – | 8.2 | 1 | 2x |
Highest Lead Levels in Michigan
Community water systems in Michigan with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blackman Township | Jackson · 21,222 served | 133 | 8.9x over |
| 2 | Beverly Hills | Beverly Hills · 10,451 served | 91.3 | 6.1x over |
| 3 | Highland Park | Highland Park · 8,977 served | 57 | 3.8x over |
| 4 | Harper Woods | Roseville · 14,236 served | 46.5 | 3.1x over |
| 5 | Dearborn Heights | Dearborn Heights · 57,774 served | 34 | 2.3x over |
| 6 | Benton Harbor | Benton Harbor · 9,103 served | 32 | 2.1x over |
| 7 | Ferndale | Ferndale · 22,105 served | 28 | 1.9x over |
| 8 | Hamtramck | Hamtramck · 22,413 served | 28 | 1.9x over |
| 9 | Clare, City Of | Clare · 3,118 served | 27 | 1.8x over |
| 10 | Garden City | Garden City · 27,625 served | 25.6 | 1.7x over |
| 11 | Eastpointe, City Of | Eastpointe · 32,442 served | 25.5 | 1.7x over |
| 12 | Hampton Township | Bay City · 9,652 served | 21 | 1.4x over |
Most EPA Violations in Michigan
Community water systems in Michigan with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benton Harbor | Benton Harbor · 9,103 served | 11 |
| 2 | Battle Creek - Verona System | Battle Creek · 43,975 served | 5 |
| 3 | Emmett Township | Battle Creek · 2,550 served | 5 |
| 4 | Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo · 192,992 served | 4 |
| 5 | Baraga | Baraga · 2,182 served | 3 |
| 6 | Hillsdale | Hillsdale · 8,163 served | 2 |
| 7 | Birmingham | Birmingham · 20,472 served | 2 |
| 8 | Tittabawassee Township | Freeland · 9,227 served | 2 |
| 9 | Homer | Homer · 1,668 served | 2 |
| 10 | Armada, Village Of | Armada · 1,794 served | 2 |
| 11 | Dearborn Heights | Dearborn Heights · 57,774 served | 2 |
| 12 | Holland Board Of Public Works | Holland · 49,687 served | 2 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Michigan?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Hesperia in Hesperia had the highest recorded PFAS level in Michigan at 42 ppt - about 11x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Michigan water system has the highest lead levels?
Blackman Township in Jackson had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Michigan under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 133 ppb - 8.9x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Michigan water system has the most EPA violations?
Benton Harbor in Benton Harbor has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Michigan, with 11 violations.
Where does the Michigan water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Michigan Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Michigan water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.