Flint, MI: 17 Health Violations — 80/100 (2026)
17 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Flint tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within MI.
How Flint Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Flint, MI
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Flint's 17 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Flint Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 34 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,229 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.95 — above typical levels.
Flint's Water Providers
With 3 utilities splitting service in Flint, MI, water accountability is distributed across 9 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 17 ZIP codes in Flint, Michigan, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 139,114 people.
17 of 17 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 17 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Flint: B (80/100)
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
Flint water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 17 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 18 | 17 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | 17 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48501 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Flint, |
| 48502 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Flint, |
| 48503 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Flint, |
| 48504 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Flint, |
| 48505 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Flint, |
| 48506 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Flint, |
| 48507 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Flint, |
| 48531 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Flint, |
| 48532 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Flint, |
| 48550 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Flint, |
All ZIP Codes in Flint
- 48501 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48502 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48503 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48504 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48505 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48506 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48507 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48531 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48532 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48550 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48551 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48552 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48553 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48554 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48555 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48556 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 48557 [B] — 2 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.
Flint 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 Flint's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Flint
Property equity in Flint sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Flint. The estimated $503–$2,182 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 55% below the Michigan average.
Flint: 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 Flint 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.
Flint: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Flint shows 212 claims and 35% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Flint has a moderate flood history with 212 FEMA claims averaging $6,722 per payout. 35% 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>$1,229</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 Flint, MI