Detroit, MI: 138 Health Violations - 75/100 (2026)
46 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Detroit: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (138 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Across Detroit, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins - a pattern that places the city well above MI's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Facts for Detroit Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 276 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0075 mg/L.
Water Quality in Detroit
We track water quality and home safety data for 46 ZIP codes in Detroit, Michigan (population ~600,573), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 1,064,796 people region-wide.
46 of 46 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 276 total, including 138 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: B (75/100)
Water sources: Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 138 | 46 |
| Contaminant 1011 | Other | 46 | 46 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 46 | 46 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 46 | 46 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0075 mg/L
- 90% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 56% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1936
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 76/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 25%
- 25 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 90% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Detroit residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
305,418 total housing units across 46 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 106,222 | 35% |
| 1940–1949 | 63,048 | 21% |
| 1950–1959 | 67,941 | 22% |
| 1960–1969 | 22,694 | 7% |
| 1970–1979 | 14,965 | 5% |
| 1980–1989 | 9,975 | 3% |
| 1990–1999 | 7,072 | 2% |
| 2000–2009 | 9,079 | 3% |
| 2010–2019 | 4,207 | 1% |
| 2020+ | 215 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Detroit:
- 543 flood insurance claims on record
- $2,929,598 total paid out
- $5,395 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 2 of 46 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 46 ZIP codes
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48201 | 77/100 | B | 6 |
| 48202 | 77/100 | B | 6 |
| 48204 | 77/100 | B | 6 |
| 48206 | 77/100 | B | 6 |
| 48207 | 77/100 | B | 6 |
| 48210 | 77/100 | B | 6 |
| 48211 | 77/100 | B | 6 |
| 48213 | 77/100 | B | 6 |
| 48214 | 77/100 | B | 6 |
| 48217 | 77/100 | B | 6 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48215 | 62/100 | C | 6 |
| 48235 | 72/100 | B | 6 |
| 48234 | 72/100 | B | 6 |
| 48228 | 72/100 | B | 6 |
| 48227 | 72/100 | B | 6 |
| 48224 | 72/100 | B | 6 |
| 48223 | 72/100 | B | 6 |
| 48221 | 72/100 | B | 6 |
| 48219 | 72/100 | B | 6 |
| 48209 | 72/100 | B | 6 |
What Detroit Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Detroit has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Detroit
- 48201 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48202 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48204 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48205 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48206 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48207 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48208 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48209 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48210 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48211 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48213 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48214 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48215 [C] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48216 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48217 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48219 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48221 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48222 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48223 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48224 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48226 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48227 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48228 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48231 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48232 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48233 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48234 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48235 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48238 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48242 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48243 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48244 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48255 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48260 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48264 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48265 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48266 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48267 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48268 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48269 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48272 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48275 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48277 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48278 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48279 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 48288 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Detroit, MI?
Detroit has an average Home Safety Score of 75/100 (grade B) across 46 ZIP codes. There are 276 recorded EPA violations, 138 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Detroit have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Detroit is 0.0075 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 90% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Detroit at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 543 flood insurance claims in Detroit ZIP codes, with an average payout of $5,395. 2 of 46 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Detroit homes?
90% of Detroit housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 56% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 25%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Detroit water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Chlorite, Contaminant 1011, E. coli. Across 46 ZIP codes, 46 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Detroit Infrastructure Age
Median build year of 1936 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
A post-1986 majority in Detroit's housing inventory - median build year 1936 - generally signals lower aggregate plumbing-era lead risk.
Most homes in Detroit were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Detroit: 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.
Lead risk in Detroit appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Detroit: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, Detroit shows a moderate flood record - 543 claims and 0% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone status. For water quality, that combination matters because flood events at this frequency can periodically stress infrastructure: treatment plants, private wells, and distribution systems all face elevated risk during significant flooding.
Detroit has a moderate flood history with 543 FEMA claims. 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.
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 Detroit, MI