Dowagiac
EPA ID: MI0001860 · 6,350 people served · 4 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Dowagiac (MI0001860): 9 EPA violations in the last five years. Records for Dowagiac show 9 violations over the monitored period, with every finding addressed and officially closed - the provider, which serves approximately 6,350 people, carries no outstanding enforcement actions in the current EPA dataset and meets all applicable drinking water requirements.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Dowagiac Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Dowagiac serves a community with a median household income of $62,015 and an estimated 31,056 residents across its service area. Approximately 71% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Dowagiac's water is pumped from underground aquifers. 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 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Dowagiac compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Michigan
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Dowagiac (EPA ID: MI0001860) is a community water system in Michigan that serves approximately 6,350 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: C (63/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 1 of 4 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.
Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 7, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2022 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2022 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| September 1, 2022 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| August 1, 2022 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2022 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| June 1, 2022 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| May 1, 2022 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2021 | Stage 1 DBP 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 6 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.012 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
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 the full compliance record for Dowagiac (MI0001860) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dowagiac water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Dowagiac; its 9 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Dowagiac serve?
Dowagiac serves approximately 6,350 people across 4 ZIP codes in Michigan.
Where does Dowagiac get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Dowagiac (MI): 9 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mi0001860/
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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
Dowagiac (EPA ID: MI0001860) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.