Iron Mountain, MI: 2 Violations — 77/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Iron Mountain by MI authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Iron Mountain Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Iron Mountain Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0068 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 75% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.69 — above typical levels.
Iron Mountain's Water Providers
3 independent water providers serve Iron Mountain, MI — 4 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Iron Mountain, Michigan, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 11,606 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 Iron Mountain: B (77/100)
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
Iron Mountain water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0068 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49801 | B | 2 | 0 | Iron Mountain |
All ZIP Codes in Iron Mountain
- 49801 [B] — 2 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.
Iron Mountain Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Iron Mountain's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Iron Mountain Infrastructure Age
With 75% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Iron Mountain's median build year of 1963 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Iron Mountain 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Iron Mountain
How does remediation fit within the broader financial picture for Iron Mountain homeowners? The equity share is moderate — large enough that treating it as a real planning consideration makes sense, and manageable enough that most homeowners have a clear path to addressing documented water and safety issues when they approach the commitment with deliberate advance budgeting rather than as an unplanned expense.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Iron Mountain. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 23% below the Michigan average.
Iron Mountain: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 75% pre-rule share in Iron Mountain keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Iron Mountain: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood insurance records under FEMA's NFIP show limited historical flood activity for Iron Mountain. Understanding where a community falls on the exposure spectrum matters for water quality assessment because flooding operates as a compounding hazard: during significant flood events, treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, private wells can be infiltrated by surface runoff, and pressure changes in distribution systems can allow backflow of contaminated water. None of those mechanisms are absent here, but they require event conditions that the current NFIP record suggests have been infrequent.
Iron Mountain has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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>$1,600</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Iron Mountain, MI