National City, MI Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
National City's water quality grade in MI reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How National City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
National City Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 75% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 17.06 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving National City
National City, MI is covered by 2 major water utilities out of 2 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in National City, Michigan (population ~1,457), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 8,623 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in National City — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for National City: C (66/100)
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
National City water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for National City
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48748 | C | City of East Tawas, | 2,808 |
All ZIP Codes in National City
- 48748 [C]
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.
CDC Health Data for National City
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
How Old Is National City's Housing Stock?
With 75% 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, National City's housing stock carries a median build year of 1960. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in National City 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in National City
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.
When older housing represents 75% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual National City address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in National City
- 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 75% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for National City, MI