Harbor Springs, MI - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Harbor Springs Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.03 mg/L - exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 57% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.41 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Harbor Springs
Water service in Harbor Springs, MI is split across 3 utilities out of 5 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Harbor Springs, Michigan, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 7,277 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Harbor Springs water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0300 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49740 | — | 4 | 1 | City of Harbor Springs, |
All ZIP Codes in Harbor Springs
- 49740 - 4 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Harbor Springs
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Harbor Springs
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Harbor Springs's Housing Stock?
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
Decades of residential development in Harbor Springs took place before the two main regulatory milestones that reduced plumbing-era lead risk: the phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, and the federal ban on lead solder in 1986. With a median build year of 1987, the housing stock here is anchored in that earlier period. The distinction between pre-1970 and 1970-to-1986 construction matters: the oldest homes may have lead pipes in the service line and lead solder in the copper joints, while the 1970-to-1986 tier still carries the solder risk even after lead pipes became less common. Together, these two risk layers affect a majority of the residential properties in the city - a fact the aggregate water quality data doesn't directly reveal.
Over half of homes in Harbor Springs 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.
Harbor Springs: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Harbor Springs, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity - the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Harbor Springs are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 63% above the Michigan average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Harbor Springs
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.
Locally for Harbor Springs, the pre-rule housing share runs at 57%, and citywide utility monitoring has moved past the federal action mark. The high pre-1986 share combined with system samples crossing threshold places lead among the higher-priority household water concerns. Families with kids or pregnant residents can find a draw-test kit and certified filter via retailer-verified channels, with periodic retesting capturing changes after plumbing work or extended stagnation.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Harbor Springs
Historical NFIP data for Harbor Springs contains 4 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $0. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$2,200</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Harbor Springs, MI