Fostoria, MI Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Fostoria have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in MI reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Fostoria Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Fostoria Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 57% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.05 — above typical levels.
Fostoria's Water Providers
Water delivery in Fostoria, MI is handled by 2 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 2 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Fostoria, Michigan, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,592 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Fostoria — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fostoria: B (73/100)
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
Fostoria water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Fostoria
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48435 | B | Millington, Village of | 1,072 |
All ZIP Codes in Fostoria
- 48435 [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.
Fostoria 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
Fostoria Infrastructure Age
With 57% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Fostoria's median build year of 1972 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Fostoria 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Fostoria
Across Fostoria, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Fostoria are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the Michigan average.
Fostoria: 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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 57% pre-rule share in Fostoria keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Fostoria: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood risk in Fostoria sits in a low-exposure range — NFIP claim volume is contained and FEMA flood zones cover a small portion of the area. For residents monitoring water quality, low flood frequency generally correlates with lower probability of the contamination events that flooding can introduce: overwhelmed treatment intake, well infiltration, and distribution backflow all require significant event size to materialize.
Fostoria has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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>$1,200</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Fostoria, MI