Greenbush, MI Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Greenbush 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 Greenbush Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Greenbush Water
- Homes built before 1986: 79% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.86 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Greenbush
As of current federal records, Greenbush, MI is served primarily by one water utility among 1 tracked system. That single provider handles infrastructure investment, rate adjustments, and regulatory reporting under EPA oversight.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Greenbush, Michigan (population ~1,097), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 6,997 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Greenbush — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Greenbush: 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
Greenbush water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Greenbush
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48738 | B | OSCODA TOWNSHIP | 6,997 |
All ZIP Codes in Greenbush
- 48738 [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 Greenbush
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 Greenbush
With 79% 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
Because the majority of Greenbush's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1961 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Greenbush 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 Greenbush Homeowners
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Greenbush is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Greenbush are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 25% below the Michigan average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Greenbush
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.
When older housing represents 79% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Greenbush address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Greenbush
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Greenbush has accumulated 8 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Greenbush has a moderate flood history with 8 FEMA claims averaging $2,702 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>$1,200</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 Greenbush, MI