Berrien County, Michigan
28 ZIP codes · Avg score 80/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Berrien County, all 28 tracked ZIP codes show above-average drinking water safety — violations are infrequent and typically minor.
How Berrien County Compares
How Berrien County Compares
Berrien County scores 6 points above the Michigan state average (74/100) and 12 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Berrien County, Michigan
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.7 (asthma 11.8%, diabetes 13.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,425, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.396% avg pipe failure probability, 42% of ZIPs at high risk
73% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Berrien County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 15 violations. Past 5 years: 26 total (26 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,425
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
82,943 housing units in Berrien County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Berrien County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Berrien County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Berrien County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Berrien County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benton Harbor | 9,103 | 32 |
| 2 | Benton Charter Township | 6,768 | 32 |
| 3 | Berrien Springs | 1,910 | 16 |
| 4 | ANDREWS UNIVERSITY | 3,000 | 16 |
| 5 | Oronoko Township | 1,610 | 16 |
27 total water systems serve Berrien County.
All ZIP Codes in Berrien County
28 ZIP codes tracked in Berrien County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49115 | Harbert | 98 | A | 2 | $272K |
| 2 | 49121 | Niles | 98 | A | 7 (1 health) | — |
| 3 | 49104 | Berrien Springs | 97 | A | 8 (2 health) | — |
| 4 | 49101 | Baroda | 95 | A | 0 | $226K |
| 5 | 49103 | Berrien Springs | 93 | A | 8 (2 health) | $225K |
| 6 | 49106 | Bridgman | 93 | A | 1 | $243K |
| 7 | 49023 | Benton Harbor | 92 | A | 16 (6 health) | — |
| 8 | 49107 | Buchanan | 90 | A | 0 | $175K |
| 9 | 49117 | New Buffalo | 90 | A | 1 | $448K |
| 10 | 49120 | Niles | 89 | A | 7 (1 health) | $167K |
| 11 | 49098 | Watervliet | 88 | A | 4 | $151K |
| 12 | 49126 | Sodus | 88 | A | 0 | $163K |
| 13 | 49128 | Three Oaks | 88 | A | 1 | $247K |
| 14 | 49022 | Benton Harbor | 84 | B | 16 (6 health) | $141K |
| 15 | 49038 | Coloma | 80 | B | 1 | $196K |
| 16 | 48004 | Anchorville | 73 | B | 0 | — |
| 17 | 48027 | Goodells | 73 | B | 0 | $243K |
| 18 | 49125 | Sawyer | 73 | B | 0 | $300K |
| 19 | 49111 | Eau Claire | 68 | C | 5 | $164K |
| 20 | 49039 | Hagar Shores | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 21 | 49084 | Riverside | 66 | C | 0 | $170K |
| 22 | 49102 | Berrien Center | 66 | C | 0 | $250K |
| 23 | 49113 | Galien | 66 | C | 0 | $159K |
| 24 | 49116 | Lakeside | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 25 | 49119 | New Troy | 66 | C | 0 | $169K |
| 26 | 49129 | Union Pier | 66 | C | 0 | $587K |
| 27 | 49127 | Stevensville | 65 | C | 0 | $287K |
| 28 | 49085 | Saint Joseph | 60 | C | 0 | $287K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Berrien County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 73% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Berrien County, Michigan
Overview
Berrien County in Michigan covers 28 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (80/100).
13 of 28 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 18 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Michigan water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.