Marquette, MI: Lead Above EPA Limits — 46/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Marquette, MI water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.
How Marquette Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Marquette Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.019 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 71% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $5,860 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.12 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Marquette
Residential water service in Marquette, MI is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 5 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Marquette, Michigan, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 33,199 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Marquette: D (46/100)
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
Marquette water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0190 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2326 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Chloroform | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49855 | D | 6 | 0 | Marquette |
All ZIP Codes in Marquette
- 49855 [D] — 6 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 Marquette
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 Marquette Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Marquette
With 71% 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
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Marquette, where the median build year is 1976, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Marquette 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 Marquette Homeowners
The cost-to-equity ratio for remediation in Marquette is elevated — the financial planning challenge here is real and significant.
At 2.4% of home value, remediation costs in Marquette represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $3,640–$8,280. Home values here are 20% above the Michigan average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Marquette
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.
Before the federal action against lead-bearing solder, that material was routinely permitted in new plumbing — and 71% of Marquette housing dates from that earlier era. Citywide utility samples have also moved past the regulatory action level. Two independent indicators are aligned here: a majority of buildings carry pre-rule interior lines, while system-level concentrations sit beyond the federal benchmark. Households with kids or pregnant residents can find an in-home test and a certified lead-removal filter through certified retail channels.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Marquette
Flood history in Marquette spans 17 NFIP claims and 100% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Marquette has a moderate flood history with 17 FEMA claims averaging $11,072 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>$5,860</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.
What You Can Do in Marquette
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Total Coliform can reduce the most common contaminant found in Marquette's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 71% 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 Marquette, MI