Water Quality in Empire, MI: 149 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems
1 water system · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 149 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Empire. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Empire
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49630 | 149 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Empire, Michigan has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 149 violations (all classified as monitoring/reporting type in the available record) across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Empire is 0.0021 mg/L; the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to a water system's own 90th-percentile result and is not a safety threshold (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 41% of homes built before 1986, Empire has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Empire
Empire is served by 1 community water system regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 1,484 people live in the area (1 ZIP code, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
EPA records list enforcement actions against water systems serving Empire. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Empire
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Empire Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Empire's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 4 mg/L | 3 | 1 | No |
| Nitrite | Inorganic | 1 mg/L | 3 | 1 | No |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | Organic | 0.006 mg/L | 3 | 1 | No |
| Atrazine | Organic | 0.003 mg/L | 3 | 1 | No |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Xylenes, Total | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Dichloromethane | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Vinyl chloride | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | Organic | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
The standard column shows the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) except for lead and copper, whose value is an action level that triggers corrective steps and is not an MCL. Health-based violations are MCL, MRDL and treatment-technique violations.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken enforcement actions against water systems serving Empire. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-02-03 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-01-13 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-12-24 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-11-25 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-11-21 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-02-03 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-02-03 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-01-28 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-02-03.
Empire vs. Nearby Michigan Cities
How Empire's water quality compares to similar cities in Michigan:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire | 1 | 149 | 1 | 1,484 |
| Casnovia | 0 | N/A | 0 | 1,484 |
| Munger | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1,488 |
| Millersburg | 0 | N/A | 0 | 1,492 |
Common Questions About Empire Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Empire, Michigan:
Is Empire water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Empire's 1 water system uses a single source. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Empire tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Empire? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Empire vs. Michigan Average
Understanding how Empire compares to the broader Michigan average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Empire.
ZIP Codes in Empire
Empire spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.