Sawyer, MI Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
The water systems supplying Sawyer show a track record of above-average compliance with federal standards — consistently among the better performers in MI.
How Sawyer Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Sawyer Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 66% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.71 — above typical levels.
Sawyer's Water Providers
At present, 2 utilities serve the bulk of Sawyer, MI's residential water connections out of 2 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sawyer, Michigan (population ~2,051), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 4,921 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Sawyer — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sawyer: B (73/100)
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
Sawyer water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Sawyer
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49125 | B | CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP | 2,825 |
All ZIP Codes in Sawyer
- 49125 [B]
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.
Sawyer Community Health Snapshot
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
Sawyer Infrastructure Age
With 66% 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
When a city's housing median build year is 1977, as in Sawyer, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Sawyer 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Sawyer
At current valuations, Sawyer sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Sawyer are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,800–$4,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 47% above the Michigan average.
Sawyer: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 66% pre-rule share in Sawyer keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Sawyer: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood risk in Sawyer occupies the middle ground: 2 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Sawyer has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $148,608 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>$2,500</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sawyer, MI