Dearborn, MI Water Safety: 92/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water in Dearborn, MI scores well — low violation counts, above-average safety grade.
How Dearborn Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Dearborn, MI
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Dearborn.
Dearborn Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 86% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,350 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.63 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Dearborn
Multiple utilities divide Dearborn, MI's water service — 2 leading providers among 2 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Dearborn, Michigan (population ~107,846), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 743,194 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Dearborn — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Dearborn: A (92/100)
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
Dearborn water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0060 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 6 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48120 | A | Dearborn | 109,976 |
| 48121 | A | Dearborn | 109,976 |
| 48123 | A | Dearborn | 109,976 |
| 48124 | B | Dearborn | 109,976 |
| 48126 | A | Dearborn | 109,976 |
| 48128 | A | Dearborn | 109,976 |
All ZIP Codes in Dearborn
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 Dearborn
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
How Old Is Dearborn's Housing Stock?
With 86% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1950, Dearborn falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Dearborn 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.
Dearborn: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Dearborn lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Dearborn are relatively low compared to home values. The $900–$1,975 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 16% above the Michigan average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Dearborn
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.
86% — that captures the slice of Dearborn housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Dearborn
67% of ZIP codes in Dearborn are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 93 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Dearborn has a moderate flood history with 93 FEMA claims averaging $4,249 per payout. 67% 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>$1,350</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 Dearborn, MI