Athens
EPA ID: MI0000260 · 956 people served · 5 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA records for Athens (MI0000260): 1 violation on record since 2021. 1 violation on file at Athens, none open; 956 people served.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Athens Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Demographics of ZIP Codes Served
The ZIP codes associated with Athens have a median household income of $68,688 and about 11,461 residents live in those ZIP codes (Census; not the number of people this system supplies). Approximately 70% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: On average, 42% of census tracts in the counties mapped to this service area are designated disadvantaged by the federal Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST, 2022 version). Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Athens's water is classified in EPA records as a groundwater source. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 72th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Michigan
System Overview
Athens (EPA ID: MI0000260) is a community water system in Michigan that serves approximately 956 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 1 resolved, 0 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 11, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring & Reporting | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
No reported lead measurement appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. Absence of a reported measurement is not a measured zero.
The accepted LCR snapshot contains 1 reported copper action-level exceedance record for this PWSID. The source does not provide a verified copper level for publication.
Radon Risk in Service Area
5 of 5 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by MI or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Athens (MI0000260) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athens water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Athens; its 1 accepted 2021-2026 record are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Athens serve?
Athens serves approximately 956 people across 5 ZIP codes in Michigan.
Where does Athens get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Athens (MI): 1 EPA Violation. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mi0000260/
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author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Athens (MI): 1 EPA Violation}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mi0000260/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Athens (EPA ID: MI0000260) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.