Gaines, MI: 5 Violations — 81/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Gaines by MI authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Gaines Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Gaines Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.95 — above typical levels.
Gaines's Water Providers
At present, 2 utilities serve the bulk of Gaines, MI's residential water connections out of 2 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gaines, Michigan, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 4,251 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gaines: B (81/100)
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
Gaines water systems draw from: Groundwater.
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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48436 | B | 5 | 0 | City of Swartz Creek, |
All ZIP Codes in Gaines
- 48436 [B] — 5 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.
Gaines 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 Gaines's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Gaines Infrastructure Age
With 60% 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 a city's housing median build year is 1973, as in Gaines, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Gaines 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 Gaines
What does remediation cost in financial context for Gaines homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in Gaines are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 23% above the Michigan average.
Gaines: 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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted — but 60% of the Gaines inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Gaines: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood risk in Gaines occupies the middle ground: 2 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Gaines has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $5,456 per payout. 100% 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>$1,600</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 Gaines, MI