Least Reliable Water Systems in Michigan — 2026

Out of 1,167 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	1,167
Lowest value	10/100
Median value	75/100
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	27/100	71/100
14	48820	Dewitt	MI	32/100	71/100
15	49220	Addison	MI	33/100	54/100
16	48433	Flushing	MI	34/100	73/100
17	48451	Linden	MI	34/100	76/100
18	49072	Mendon	MI	35/100	61/100
19	49721	Cheboygan	MI	35/100	86/100
20	49868	Newberry	MI	35/100	80/100
21	48809	Belding	MI	36/100	71/100
22	48225	Harper Woods	MI	37/100	76/100
23	48062	Richmond	MI	39/100	93/100
24	49265	Onsted	MI	40/100	64/100
25	49276	Riga	MI	40/100	55/100
26	49628	Elberta	MI	40/100	84/100
27	49701	Mackinaw City	MI	40/100	76/100
28	48750	Oscoda	MI	41/100	87/100
29	49230	Brooklyn	MI	41/100	64/100
30	49945	Lake Linden	MI	42/100	82/100
31	49615	Bellaire	MI	44/100	73/100
32	48015	Center Line	MI	45/100	92/100
33	48806	Ashley	MI	45/100	95/100
34	49022	Benton Harbor	MI	45/100	84/100
35	49023	Benton Harbor	MI	45/100	92/100
36	49093	Three Rivers	MI	45/100	54/100
37	49645	Kaleva	MI	45/100	90/100
38	49841	Gwinn	MI	45/100	79/100
39	48412	Attica	MI	46/100	68/100
40	48047	New Baltimore	MI	47/100	81/100
41	48051	New Baltimore	MI	47/100	91/100
42	48066	Roseville	MI	47/100	84/100
43	48125	Dearborn Heights	MI	47/100	76/100
44	48127	Dearborn Heights	MI	47/100	86/100
45	48189	Whitmore Lake	MI	47/100	64/100
46	48463	Otisville	MI	47/100	71/100
47	48654	Rose City	MI	47/100	98/100
48	49064	Lawrence	MI	47/100	94/100
49	49816	Chatham	MI	47/100	71/100
50	48118	Chelsea	MI	48/100	57/100
51	48009	Birmingham	MI	49/100	73/100
52	48012	Birmingham	MI	49/100	77/100
53	48823	East Lansing	MI	49/100	73/100
54	48824	East Lansing	MI	49/100	78/100
55	48825	East Lansing	MI	49/100	78/100
56	48826	East Lansing	MI	49/100	77/100
57	49103	Berrien Springs	MI	49/100	93/100
58	49104	Berrien Springs	MI	49/100	97/100
59	49325	Freeport	MI	49/100	81/100
60	49337	Newaygo	MI	49/100	83/100
61	49820	Curtis	MI	49/100	97/100
62	48003	Almont	MI	50/100	73/100
63	48042	Macomb	MI	50/100	88/100
64	48044	Macomb	MI	50/100	88/100
65	48135	Garden City	MI	50/100	68/100
66	48136	Garden City	MI	50/100	64/100
67	48475	Ubly	MI	50/100	97/100
68	48847	Ithaca	MI	50/100	88/100
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	49855	Marquette	MI	50/100	46/100
74	49891	Trenary	MI	50/100	78/100
75	49930	Hancock	MI	50/100	76/100
76	48867	Owosso	MI	51/100	60/100
77	48111	Belleville	MI	52/100	94/100
78	48112	Belleville	MI	52/100	98/100
79	48218	River Rouge	MI	52/100	74/100
80	48320	Keego Harbor	MI	52/100	82/100
81	48414	Bancroft	MI	52/100	71/100
82	48624	Gladwin	MI	52/100	64/100
83	48843	Howell	MI	52/100	82/100
84	48844	Howell	MI	52/100	82/100
85	48855	Howell	MI	52/100	82/100
86	48863	Howell	MI	52/100	82/100
87	48883	Shepherd	MI	52/100	92/100
88	49120	Niles	MI	52/100	89/100
89	49121	Niles	MI	52/100	98/100
90	49012	Augusta	MI	53/100	58/100
91	48005	Armada	MI	54/100	90/100
92	48043	Mount Clemens	MI	54/100	85/100
93	48046	Mount Clemens	MI	54/100	93/100
94	48657	Sanford	MI	54/100	85/100
95	49236	Clinton	MI	54/100	54/100
96	49319	Cedar Springs	MI	54/100	81/100
97	49683	Thompsonville	MI	54/100	97/100
98	49707	Alpena	MI	54/100	76/100
99	48401	Applegate	MI	55/100	80/100
100	48629	Houghton Lake	MI	55/100	90/100

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: 2026-04-13.

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.