Tawas City, MI: 4 Violations — 93/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Looking at federal monitoring data for Tawas City, MI: the city clears benchmarks set under the Safe Drinking Water Act with room to spare — recorded exceedances are rare, and the systems serving local households have not triggered any pattern of repeat deficiencies in recent cycles.
How Tawas City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Facts for Tawas City Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.06 — above typical levels.
Tawas City's Water Providers
With 3 utilities splitting service in Tawas City, MI, water accountability is distributed across 6 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Tawas City, Michigan (population ~4,837), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 11,187 people region-wide.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Tawas City: A (93/100)
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
Tawas City water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0021 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 2 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | 2 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48763 | A | 2 | 0 | Sims-whitney Utilities Authority |
| 48764 | A | 2 | 0 | Sims-whitney Utilities Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Tawas City
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.
Tawas City 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
What's in Tawas City's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Tawas City
Because property values in Tawas City comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Tawas City are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 25% below the Michigan average.
Tawas City: 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.
Lead risk in Tawas City appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Tawas City: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
50% of ZIP codes in Tawas City are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 16 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Tawas City has a moderate flood history with 16 FEMA claims averaging $5,894 per payout. 50% 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>$1,200</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 Tawas City, MI