Bear Lake, MI Water Safety: 99/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water monitoring in Bear Lake shows a safety record well above the MI median — health-based violations are isolated exceptions rather than recurring patterns, the city's systems have stayed compliant across recent reporting cycles, and no cluster of recurring exceedances appears in any single service area.
How Bear Lake Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Bear Lake Residents
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 15.19 — above typical levels.
Bear Lake's Water Providers
Water delivery in Bear Lake, MI is handled by 2 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 2 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bear Lake, Michigan, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,903 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Bear Lake — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bear Lake: A (99/100)
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
Bear Lake water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49614 | A | KAMP VILLA RV PARK | 100 |
All ZIP Codes in Bear Lake
- 49614 [A]
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.
Bear Lake Community Health Snapshot
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
Bear Lake Infrastructure Age
With 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Bear Lake's housing stock carries a median build year of 1976. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Bear Lake were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Bear Lake: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
When older housing represents 67% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Bear Lake address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bear Lake, MI