Kearsarge, MI Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
State safety rankings put Kearsarge, MI near the lower tier — below-average compliance on record.
How Kearsarge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Kearsarge Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 47% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.42 — above typical levels.
Kearsarge's Water Providers
With 2 utilities splitting service in Kearsarge, MI, water accountability is distributed across 2 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Kearsarge, Michigan (population ~81), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,157 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Kearsarge — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kearsarge: 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
Kearsarge water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Kearsarge
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49942 | D | Laurium | 1,947 |
All ZIP Codes in Kearsarge
- 49942 [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.
Kearsarge 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
Kearsarge Infrastructure Age
With 47% 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
When trying to understand water quality at the household level, the year a home was built often matters more than any city-wide water report. That's because the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing, and the earlier phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, created sharp discontinuities in residential plumbing risk by construction era. Kearsarge's median build year of 2019 puts the city in the transition zone: a substantial share of the housing stock postdates the solder ban, but a comparable fraction predates it — with the oldest homes carrying both the solder risk and the pipe risk simultaneously. Whether any individual household sits on the safer or riskier side of these thresholds is the key question, and it's one the city-wide median alone can't answer.
A significant portion of Kearsarge's housing stock predates 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used. Residents in older homes should consider water testing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Kearsarge
Equity impact data for Kearsarge lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Kearsarge are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 53% below the Michigan average.
Kearsarge: 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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Kearsarge have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 47% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Kearsarge
- 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 47% 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 Kearsarge, MI