CITY REPORT MI

Onsted, MI: 4 Violations — 64/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Onsted, MI: middle-tier water safety by the latest federal monitoring.

How Onsted Compares

Onsted64/100
Michigan avg74/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
C · 64
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$245K
Median Home Value
$3,000
Est. Remediation (1.2% of home value)

Onsted Water: The Quick Version

  • Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 14.44 — above typical levels.

Water Systems Serving Onsted

Multiple utilities divide Onsted, MI's water service — 2 leading providers among 2 on the federal register.

Onsted
Serves ~907 people · 4 violations
64
/100
South Shore Water System
Serves ~488 people · 4 violations
64
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Onsted, Michigan, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 5,137 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 Onsted: C (64/100)

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

Onsted water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Barium Inorganic 2 1
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 2 1
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 2 1
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
49265 C 4 0 Onsted

All ZIP Codes in Onsted

  • 49265 [C] — 4 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

CDC Health Data for Onsted

11.3%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.4%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
18.2%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 11.3% ↑
Diabetes 12.4% ↑
Mental Health 18.2% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Key Contaminants Detected in Onsted

Barium 2 violations
Inorganic · EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Increased blood pressure
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2 violations
Disinfection Byproducts · EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L
Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure
Stage 1 DBP Rule 2 violations
Treatment Technique
Disinfection byproduct exposure risk

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

How Old Is Onsted's Housing Stock?

1984
Median Build Year
50%
Built Before 1986
23%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 50% 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 character of Onsted's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1984 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.

1984
Median Year Built
50%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
23%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (23%) 1970–1986 (27%) Post-1986 (50%)

Over half of homes in Onsted 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.

Onsted: Remediation Cost in Perspective

Within the Onsted property market, documented remediation claims a moderate slice of typical equity — real but budgetable.

Median Home Value
$245,100
Est. Remediation
$3,000
Remediation as % of home value 1.2%

Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Onsted. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 20% above the Michigan average.

Protecting Children from Lead in Onsted

50%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.004
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 50% of Onsted stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Climate-Related Water Risk for Onsted

1 FEMA flood insurance claim are on file for Onsted, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.

1
Total FEMA Flood Claims
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

Onsted has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims. 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>$3,000</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 Onsted

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Barium can reduce the most common contaminant found in Onsted's water.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Onsted, MI?
Onsted has an average water safety score of 64/100 (Grade C). 4 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Onsted have?
Onsted water systems have a total of 4 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Onsted water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Onsted is 0.004 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Onsted compare to Michigan average?
Onsted has an average water safety score of 64/100, which is below the Michigan state average of 74/100.
How many water systems serve Onsted?
Onsted is served by 2 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 5,137 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Onsted?
Estimated remediation costs in Onsted average $3,000 per household, ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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