Ypsilanti, MI: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 60/100
2 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Ypsilanti: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Based on current EPA data, Ypsilanti, MI reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Ypsilanti Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Ypsilanti Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 36 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0071 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 65% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,950 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.41.
Water Systems Serving Ypsilanti
Multiple utilities divide Ypsilanti, MI's water service - 3 leading providers among 5 on the federal register.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Ypsilanti, Michigan (population ~105,418), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 185,163 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 2 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ypsilanti: C (60/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Ypsilanti water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0071 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 2 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | 2 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| PFOA | PFAS | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48198 | C | 32 | 2 | Ypsilanti Community Utility Authority |
| 48197 | C | 4 | 0 | Ypsilanti Community Utility Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Ypsilanti
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Ypsilanti
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 Ypsilanti
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Ypsilanti's Housing Stock?
With 65% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Ypsilanti - it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1966 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Ypsilanti 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.
Ypsilanti: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Middle of the range - Ypsilanti homeowners face a remediation share that calls for real financial attention without reaching crisis territory.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Ypsilanti. The estimated $1,900–$4,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 34% above the Michigan average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ypsilanti
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 65% of Ypsilanti homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Ypsilanti
Historical NFIP data for Ypsilanti contains 14 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $2,870. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$2,950</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Ypsilanti
- 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. Filters rated for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Ypsilanti's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 65% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ypsilanti, MI