Painesdale, MI: 1 Violation — 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, Painesdale holds an above-average drinking water safety record for MI — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How Painesdale Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Painesdale Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 95% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.42 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Painesdale
In Painesdale, MI, the drinking water supply is organized under a single dominant utility — a consolidated structure that shapes how infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, and rate decisions flow to households. When one provider handles the overwhelming share of residential connections out of 1 tracked system, accountability is clear: service upgrades, EPA violation responses, and tariff changes all funnel through that single organizational structure.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Painesdale, Michigan (population ~439), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,010 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Painesdale: B (72/100)
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
Painesdale water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Painesdale
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49955 | B | 1 | 0 | Adams Township |
All ZIP Codes in Painesdale
- 49955 [B] — 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.
CDC Health Data for Painesdale
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Painesdale
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Painesdale's Housing Stock?
With 95% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Painesdale, the median build year of 1904 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Painesdale 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.
Painesdale: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Painesdale picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Painesdale are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 57% below the Michigan average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Painesdale
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 solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 95% of the Painesdale inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Painesdale, MI