Linden, MI: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 67/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Linden: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
The systems supplying Linden vary in performance across MI benchmarks - most meet minimum federal standards, but documented violations in select areas are on record.
How Linden Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Linden Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 38 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 44% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.95 - above typical levels.
Linden's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Linden, MI are served by 3 primary water providers out of 4 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Linden, Michigan, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 15,993 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Linden: C (67/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Linden water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 | 8 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48451 | C | 38 | 2 | City of Linden, |
All ZIP Codes in Linden
- 48451 [C] - 38 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Linden 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 Linden's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Linden Infrastructure Age
With 44% 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
Some cities skew heavily toward one construction era; Linden does not. The median build year of 1998 reflects a housing stock where older and newer homes share the market in meaningful proportions. That mixed profile means the city carries moderate aggregate plumbing-era risk - with older homes, particularly those built before 1986, representing the portion of the stock where lead-soldered joints may still be present.
Most homes in Linden were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Linden
Low proportionality - that's the Linden picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Linden are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$3,200 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 32% above the Michigan average.
Linden: 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.
44% of Linden housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark - household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Linden: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Linden contains 6 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $2,407. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$1,900</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Linden
- 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. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Linden's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 44% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Linden, MI