Ellsworth, MI Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Ellsworth, 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 Ellsworth Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Ellsworth Water
- Homes built before 1986: 71% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.52 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Ellsworth
Residential water in Ellsworth, MI is supplied by 2 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 2 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ellsworth, Michigan (population ~1,435), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,564 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ellsworth — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ellsworth: B (72/100)
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
Ellsworth water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Ellsworth
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49729 | B | City of East Jordan, | 2,215 |
All ZIP Codes in Ellsworth
- 49729 [B]
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 Ellsworth
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 Ellsworth
With 71% 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
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Ellsworth, where the median build year is 1977, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth Homeowners
Remediation costs in Ellsworth are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Ellsworth are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 2% below the Michigan average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Ellsworth
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.
Locally, 71% of Ellsworth homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ellsworth, MI