Lapeer, MI: 2 Health Violations — 74/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Lapeer tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for MI — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Lapeer Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Lapeer Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 13 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.05 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Lapeer
Throughout Lapeer, MI, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 4 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lapeer, Michigan, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 30,807 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lapeer: B (74/100)
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
Lapeer water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0060 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 | 10 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48446 | B | 13 | 2 | City of Lapeer, |
All ZIP Codes in Lapeer
- 48446 [B] — 13 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.
Health Outcomes in Lapeer
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
Top Contaminants in Lapeer Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Lapeer
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
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Lapeer's median build year of 1973 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Lapeer 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Lapeer Homeowners
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Lapeer is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Lapeer are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$3,200 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 1% above the Michigan average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Lapeer
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.
67% — that captures the slice of Lapeer housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Lapeer
The NFIP claim record for Lapeer — 16 filed incidents — reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways — runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow — all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.
Lapeer has a moderate flood history with 16 FEMA claims averaging $7,378 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>$1,900</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 Lapeer, MI