Johannesburg, MI Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Johannesburg, water quality data indicates below-average safety by MI standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.
How Johannesburg Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Johannesburg Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 68% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.43 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Johannesburg
Johannesburg, MI draws its residential water from 2 separate providers among the 2 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Johannesburg, Michigan, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,008 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Johannesburg — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Johannesburg: D (53/100)
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
Johannesburg water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Johannesburg
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49751 | D | Oak Leaf Manor | 36 |
All ZIP Codes in Johannesburg
- 49751 [D]
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 Johannesburg
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 Johannesburg's Housing Stock?
With 68% 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
What does a median build year of 1974 mean for water safety in Johannesburg? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Johannesburg 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.
Johannesburg: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Johannesburg picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Johannesburg are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 14% below the Michigan average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Johannesburg
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Johannesburg — 68% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Johannesburg
- 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 68% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Johannesburg, MI