Cassopolis, MI: Lead Above EPA Limits — 44/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
A meaningful share of water systems in Cassopolis have recorded health-based violations in recent MI monitoring periods — placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.
How Cassopolis Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Cassopolis Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.016 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 61% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $6,960 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.73 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Cassopolis
Water service in Cassopolis, MI is split across 3 utilities out of 4 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cassopolis, Michigan, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 8,320 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cassopolis: D (44/100)
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
Cassopolis water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0160 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 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1017 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49031 | D | 6 | 1 | Cassopolis |
All ZIP Codes in Cassopolis
- 49031 [D] — 6 violations ⚠
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.
CDC Health Data for Cassopolis
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Cassopolis
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Cassopolis's Housing Stock?
With 61% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Cassopolis, where the median build year is 1974, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Cassopolis 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.
Cassopolis: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Elevated equity share — Cassopolis sits in the high tier when estimated remediation is measured against property values.
At 3.2% of home value, remediation costs in Cassopolis represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $4,590–$9,480. Home values here are 7% above the Michigan average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Cassopolis
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 interior plumbing dominates the local inventory at 61% — as in Cassopolis — and citywide samples cross the federal benchmark, an in-home test moves from optional into a near-default step, particularly where small kids or pregnant residents share an address.
<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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Cassopolis
A moderate NFIP record for Cassopolis — 2 insurance claims paired with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Cassopolis has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims. 100% 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>$6,960</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.
What You Can Do in Cassopolis
- 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. Filters rated for Lead can reduce the most common contaminant found in Cassopolis's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 61% 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 Cassopolis, MI