Kalkaska, MI Water Safety: 88/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Kalkaska hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in MI with few health-based violations on file.
How Kalkaska Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Kalkaska Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 15.41 — above typical levels.
Kalkaska's Water Providers
As of current federal records, Kalkaska, MI is served primarily by one water utility among 1 tracked system. That single provider handles infrastructure investment, rate adjustments, and regulatory reporting under EPA oversight.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Kalkaska, Michigan, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 8,573 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Kalkaska — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kalkaska: A (88/100)
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
Kalkaska water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Kalkaska
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49646 | A | Kalkaska, Village of | 2,020 |
All ZIP Codes in Kalkaska
- 49646 [A]
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.
Kalkaska 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
Kalkaska Infrastructure Age
With 67% 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. Kalkaska's median build year of 1973 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 Kalkaska 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.
Kalkaska: 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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted — but 67% of the Kalkaska inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Kalkaska, MI