Detroit, MI: 138 Health Violations — 75/100 (2026)
46 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
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.
How Detroit Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Detroit, MI
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Detroit's 46 ZIP codes.
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.
- Estimated remediation: $1,187 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.63 — above typical levels.
Detroit's Water Providers
Structurally, Detroit, MI's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 9 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
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. 138 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Detroit: B (75/100)
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
Detroit water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0075 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): 46 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 141 | 46 |
| Contaminant 1011 | Other | 47 | 46 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 47 | 46 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 47 | 46 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48201 | B | 6 | 3 | City of Detroit |
| 48202 | B | 6 | 3 | City of Detroit |
| 48204 | B | 6 | 3 | City of Detroit |
| 48205 | B | 6 | 3 | City of Detroit |
| 48206 | B | 6 | 3 | City of Detroit |
| 48207 | B | 6 | 3 | City of Detroit |
| 48208 | B | 6 | 3 | City of Detroit |
| 48209 | B | 6 | 3 | City of Detroit |
| 48210 | B | 6 | 3 | City of Detroit |
| 48211 | B | 6 | 3 | City of Detroit |
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 ⚠
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.
Detroit 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
What's in Detroit's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Detroit
Within the Detroit property market, documented remediation claims a moderate slice of typical equity — real but budgetable.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Detroit. The estimated $693–$2,359 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 59% below the Michigan average.
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
What does a high NFIP claim count mean for water quality in Detroit? The 543 documented claims reflect a flood history frequent enough that those infrastructure degradation pathways — treatment overload, well infiltration, backflow — have almost certainly been periodically activated. That record makes flood timing a relevant factor in local water quality assessment, particularly in the 46% of ZIP codes FEMA has designated as flood zones.
Detroit has a significant flood history with 543 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $5,912 per claim. With 46% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,187</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 Detroit, MI