Harsens Island, MI Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Harsens Island, MI reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Harsens Island Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Harsens Island Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 74% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.42 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Harsens Island
The structure of water supply in Harsens Island, MI is straightforward: one utility provides the bulk of residential service among 1 tracked system, concentrating rate-setting and infrastructure decisions under a single organization.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Harsens Island, Michigan (population ~1,058), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 9,866 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Harsens Island — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Harsens Island: C (55/100)
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
Harsens Island water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Harsens Island
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48028 | C | CLAY TOWNSHIP | 9,866 |
All ZIP Codes in Harsens Island
- 48028 [C]
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.
CDC Health Data for Harsens Island
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
How Old Is Harsens Island's Housing Stock?
With 74% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Harsens Island's housing stock carries a median build year of 1966. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Harsens Island 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.
Harsens Island: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Harsens Island, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Harsens Island are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 66% above the Michigan average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Harsens Island
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.
Routinely in Harsens Island, where 74% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Harsens Island
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Harsens Island falls in moderate-exposure territory — 246 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Harsens Island has a moderate flood history with 246 FEMA claims averaging $2,716 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.
What You Can Do in Harsens Island
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 74% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Harsens Island, MI