Houghton Lake, MI: 7 Violations — 90/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Residents of Houghton Lake generally live with tap water that beats the MI safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.
How Houghton Lake Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Houghton Lake Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.73 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Houghton Lake
Multiple utilities divide Houghton Lake, MI's water service — 3 leading providers among 7 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Houghton Lake, Michigan, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 7,922 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 Houghton Lake: A (90/100)
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 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 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48629 | A | 7 | 0 | Sandhill Manor |
All ZIP Codes in Houghton Lake
- 48629 [A] — 7 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.
CDC Health Data for Houghton Lake
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 Houghton Lake
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Houghton Lake's Housing Stock?
With 65% 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 median home in Houghton Lake was built in 1973 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Houghton Lake 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.
Houghton Lake: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The household financial picture for Houghton Lake homeowners is proportionally favorable — addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in Houghton Lake are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the Michigan average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Houghton Lake
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 65% of Houghton Lake 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Houghton Lake
1 FEMA flood insurance claim are on file for Houghton Lake, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Houghton Lake has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $16,142 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 Houghton Lake, MI