Houghton Lake Heights, MI Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
In recent monitoring cycles, Houghton Lake Heights tap water shows a mixed record for MI — several systems have documented violations alongside areas with clean compliance histories.
How Houghton Lake Heights Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
What You Should Know About Houghton Lake Heights Water
- Homes built before 1986: 77% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 16.73 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Houghton Lake Heights
Water service in Houghton Lake Heights, MI is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Houghton Lake Heights, Michigan (population ~62), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 148 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Houghton Lake Heights — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Houghton Lake Heights: C (66/100)
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
Houghton Lake Heights water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Houghton Lake Heights
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48630 | C | SANDHILL MANOR | 148 |
All ZIP Codes in Houghton Lake Heights
- 48630 [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.
Health Outcomes in Houghton Lake Heights
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 Houghton Lake Heights
With 77% 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
The character of Houghton Lake Heights's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1963 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Houghton Lake Heights 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.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Houghton Lake Heights
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 77% of Houghton Lake Heights homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Houghton Lake Heights
- 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 77% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Houghton Lake Heights, MI