Merrill, MI: 1 Violation — 88/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Merrill hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in MI with few health-based violations on file.
How Merrill Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Merrill Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 82% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 14.76 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Merrill
2 independent water providers serve Merrill, MI — 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Merrill, Michigan, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,068 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 Merrill: 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
Merrill water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Merrill
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48637 | A | 1 | 0 | Merrill, Village of |
All ZIP Codes in Merrill
- 48637 [A] — 1 violation
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 Merrill
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Merrill
With 82% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Merrill's housing stock carries a median build year of 1979. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Merrill 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.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Merrill
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.
Routinely in Merrill, where 82% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Merrill, MI