Alma, MI Water Safety: 85/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Alma tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for MI — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Alma Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Alma Water
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.84 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Alma
Federal drinking water records identify 1 system operating in Alma, MI. One of those systems serves the overwhelming majority of residential addresses, concentrating infrastructure management, rate authority, and EPA compliance reporting within a single organization.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Alma, Michigan, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 13,433 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Alma — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Alma: A (85/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Alma water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Alma
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 2 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
All ZIP Codes in Alma
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Alma
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Alma Homeowners
At current valuations, Alma sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Alma are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 41% below the Michigan average.
Flood & Climate Risk in Alma
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Alma, that record documents 29 claims and 50% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Alma has a moderate flood history with 29 FEMA claims averaging $4,853 per payout. 50% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,200</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Alma, MI