Out of 1,179 ZIP codes with data in Michigan, these are the lowest-ranked areas for reliability score. See also: National Least Reliable Water Systems in America | All Michigan Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 1,179 |
| Lowest value | 10/100 |
| Median value | 68/100 |
| State | Michigan |
100 Lowest-Ranked ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Reliability Score | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48438 | Goodrich | MI | 10/100 | 58/100 |
| 2 | 49014 | Battle Creek | MI | 15/100 | 40/100 |
| 3 | 49015 | Battle Creek | MI | 15/100 | 40/100 |
| 4 | 49016 | Battle Creek | MI | 15/100 | 33/100 |
| 5 | 49017 | Battle Creek | MI | 15/100 | 58/100 |
| 6 | 49018 | Battle Creek | MI | 15/100 | 33/100 |
| 7 | 49037 | Battle Creek | MI | 15/100 | 45/100 |
| 8 | 49326 | Gowen | MI | 19/100 | 73/100 |
| 9 | 49847 | Hermansville | MI | 20/100 | 28/100 |
| 10 | 48442 | Holly | MI | 25/100 | 65/100 |
| 11 | 49245 | Homer | MI | 26/100 | 48/100 |
| 12 | 48658 | Standish | MI | 27/100 | 81/100 |
| 13 | 48848 | Laingsburg | MI | 32/100 | 71/100 |
| 14 | 49220 | Addison | MI | 33/100 | 54/100 |
| 15 | 48433 | Flushing | MI | 34/100 | 73/100 |
| 16 | 48451 | Linden | MI | 34/100 | 76/100 |
| 17 | 49072 | Mendon | MI | 35/100 | 61/100 |
| 18 | 49721 | Cheboygan | MI | 35/100 | 86/100 |
| 19 | 49868 | Newberry | MI | 35/100 | 80/100 |
| 20 | 48809 | Belding | MI | 36/100 | 71/100 |
| 21 | 48225 | Harper Woods | MI | 37/100 | 76/100 |
| 22 | 48062 | Richmond | MI | 39/100 | 93/100 |
| 23 | 49265 | Onsted | MI | 40/100 | 64/100 |
| 24 | 49276 | Riga | MI | 40/100 | 55/100 |
| 25 | 49628 | Elberta | MI | 40/100 | 84/100 |
| 26 | 49701 | Mackinaw City | MI | 40/100 | 76/100 |
| 27 | 48750 | Oscoda | MI | 41/100 | 87/100 |
| 28 | 49230 | Brooklyn | MI | 41/100 | 64/100 |
| 29 | 48189 | Whitmore Lake | MI | 42/100 | 64/100 |
| 30 | 49945 | Lake Linden | MI | 42/100 | 82/100 |
| 31 | 49615 | Bellaire | MI | 44/100 | 73/100 |
| 32 | 48468 | Port Hope | MI | 45/100 | 91/100 |
| 33 | 48806 | Ashley | MI | 45/100 | 95/100 |
| 34 | 49012 | Augusta | MI | 45/100 | 58/100 |
| 35 | 49022 | Benton Harbor | MI | 45/100 | 84/100 |
| 36 | 49023 | Benton Harbor | MI | 45/100 | 92/100 |
| 37 | 49093 | Three Rivers | MI | 45/100 | 54/100 |
| 38 | 49645 | Kaleva | MI | 45/100 | 90/100 |
| 39 | 49759 | Millersburg | MI | 45/100 | 81/100 |
| 40 | 49841 | Gwinn | MI | 45/100 | 79/100 |
| 41 | 49865 | National Mine | MI | 45/100 | 80/100 |
| 42 | 48412 | Attica | MI | 46/100 | 68/100 |
| 43 | 48047 | New Baltimore | MI | 47/100 | 81/100 |
| 44 | 48066 | Roseville | MI | 47/100 | 84/100 |
| 45 | 48125 | Dearborn Heights | MI | 47/100 | 76/100 |
| 46 | 48127 | Dearborn Heights | MI | 47/100 | 86/100 |
| 47 | 48463 | Otisville | MI | 47/100 | 71/100 |
| 48 | 48654 | Rose City | MI | 47/100 | 98/100 |
| 49 | 49064 | Lawrence | MI | 47/100 | 94/100 |
| 50 | 49816 | Chatham | MI | 47/100 | 71/100 |
| 51 | 48118 | Chelsea | MI | 48/100 | 57/100 |
| 52 | 48823 | East Lansing | MI | 49/100 | 73/100 |
| 53 | 48824 | East Lansing | MI | 49/100 | 78/100 |
| 54 | 48825 | East Lansing | MI | 49/100 | 78/100 |
| 55 | 48826 | East Lansing | MI | 49/100 | 77/100 |
| 56 | 49103 | Berrien Springs | MI | 49/100 | 93/100 |
| 57 | 49104 | Berrien Springs | MI | 49/100 | 97/100 |
| 58 | 49325 | Freeport | MI | 49/100 | 81/100 |
| 59 | 49337 | Newaygo | MI | 49/100 | 83/100 |
| 60 | 49820 | Curtis | MI | 49/100 | 97/100 |
| 61 | 48003 | Almont | MI | 50/100 | 73/100 |
| 62 | 48135 | Garden City | MI | 50/100 | 68/100 |
| 63 | 48136 | Garden City | MI | 50/100 | 64/100 |
| 64 | 48346 | Clarkston | MI | 50/100 | 81/100 |
| 65 | 48475 | Ubly | MI | 50/100 | 97/100 |
| 66 | 48618 | Coleman | MI | 50/100 | 97/100 |
| 67 | 48847 | Ithaca | MI | 50/100 | 88/100 |
| 68 | 48881 | Saranac | MI | 50/100 | 81/100 |
| 69 | 49021 | Bellevue | MI | 50/100 | 79/100 |
| 70 | 49057 | Hartford | MI | 50/100 | 87/100 |
| 71 | 49075 | Nottawa | MI | 50/100 | 61/100 |
| 72 | 49106 | Bridgman | MI | 50/100 | 93/100 |
| 73 | 49248 | Jasper | MI | 50/100 | 64/100 |
| 74 | 49437 | Montague | MI | 50/100 | 88/100 |
| 75 | 49636 | Glen Arbor | MI | 50/100 | 78/100 |
| 76 | 49849 | Ishpeming | MI | 50/100 | 81/100 |
| 77 | 49855 | Marquette | MI | 50/100 | 46/100 |
| 78 | 49862 | Munising | MI | 50/100 | 81/100 |
| 79 | 49891 | Trenary | MI | 50/100 | 78/100 |
| 80 | 49930 | Hancock | MI | 50/100 | 76/100 |
| 81 | 48111 | Belleville | MI | 52/100 | 94/100 |
| 82 | 48112 | Belleville | MI | 52/100 | 98/100 |
| 83 | 48218 | River Rouge | MI | 52/100 | 74/100 |
| 84 | 48320 | Keego Harbor | MI | 52/100 | 82/100 |
| 85 | 48414 | Bancroft | MI | 52/100 | 71/100 |
| 86 | 48624 | Gladwin | MI | 52/100 | 64/100 |
| 87 | 48820 | Dewitt | MI | 52/100 | 71/100 |
| 88 | 48843 | Howell | MI | 52/100 | 82/100 |
| 89 | 48844 | Howell | MI | 52/100 | 82/100 |
| 90 | 48855 | Howell | MI | 52/100 | 82/100 |
| 91 | 48863 | Howell | MI | 52/100 | 82/100 |
| 92 | 48883 | Shepherd | MI | 52/100 | 92/100 |
| 93 | 49120 | Niles | MI | 52/100 | 89/100 |
| 94 | 49121 | Niles | MI | 52/100 | 98/100 |
| 95 | 48005 | Armada | MI | 54/100 | 90/100 |
| 96 | 48134 | Flat Rock | MI | 54/100 | 85/100 |
| 97 | 48657 | Sanford | MI | 54/100 | 85/100 |
| 98 | 49236 | Clinton | MI | 54/100 | 54/100 |
| 99 | 49319 | Cedar Springs | MI | 54/100 | 81/100 |
| 100 | 49683 | Thompsonville | MI | 54/100 | 97/100 |
Methodology
Water system reliability scores (0-100) combine violation frequency, violation recency, resolution rate, and system size. Systems with repeated health-based violations and unresolved issues score lowest. The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance, distinct from the broader Home Safety Score.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a low water reliability score mean?
A low reliability score (below 50) indicates a water system with frequent violations, poor resolution rates, or recurring compliance issues. These systems may have aging infrastructure, inadequate treatment, or management challenges.
How is reliability different from safety score?
The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance (violations, resolution, compliance). The Home Safety Score is broader, also including lead risk, radon, and flood data. A ZIP code can have a reliable water system but still have high radon or flood risk.
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