Boyne Falls, MI: Lead Above EPA Limits — 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Systems across Boyne Falls show elevated violation counts against MI benchmarks — the low safety grade reflects that ongoing compliance pattern.
How Boyne Falls Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Boyne Falls Water
- Average lead level: 0.026 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 57% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,820 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.13 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Boyne Falls
Boyne Falls, MI is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 4 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Boyne Falls, Michigan (population ~2,175), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 5,454 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Boyne Falls — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Boyne Falls: D (50/100)
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
Boyne Falls water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0260 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49713 | D | City of Boyne City, | 3,735 |
All ZIP Codes in Boyne Falls
- 49713 [D]
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 Boyne Falls
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Boyne Falls
With 57% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Boyne Falls's median build year of 1970 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Boyne Falls 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Boyne Falls Homeowners
The cost-to-value ratio in Boyne Falls is in the moderate range — neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Boyne Falls. The estimated $2,280–$5,360 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 0% above the Michigan average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Boyne Falls
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.
Once federal rules removed lead solder from new plumbing, the older inventory still in service became the active risk surface. 57% of the Boyne Falls housing stock comes from that earlier era, and citywide monitoring has crossed the action level.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Boyne Falls
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 57% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Boyne Falls, MI