Water System Report MI

Ionia

EPA ID: MI0003370 · 12,997 people served · 1 ZIP code

Water monitoring history at Ionia shows a clean slate — EPA tracking over the past five years turned up no violations, and 12,997 residents continue to receive fully compliant service.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 78
Avg Safety Score
12,997
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00321 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
0
Contaminants Flagged
$172K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Ionia Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$66,717
Median Household Income
21,940
Service Area Population
31%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
69%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Ionia serves a community with a median household income of $66,717 and an estimated 21,940 residents across its service area. Approximately 69% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 31% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. 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?

Groundwater

Ionia'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.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
60th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Ionia County, Michigan rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

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

61 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
4 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 94% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Michigan

Escanaba
12,941 people
B 0 violations
A 1 violation
Melvindale
12,851 people
A 1 violation
0 violations
City of New Baltimore,
12,720 people
C 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,200
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $1,600

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

Ionia (EPA ID: MI0003370) is a community water system in Michigan that serves approximately 12,997 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 48846 in Ionia.

Average Home Safety Score: B (78/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
48846 0.00321 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 Filter

Free 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 Ionia (MI0003370) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ionia water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Ionia has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Ionia serve?

Ionia serves approximately 12,997 people across 1 ZIP code in Michigan.

Where does Ionia 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.

Samples collected
232

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
139
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1,850
Unknown Material
811
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 12,997
Reported to Michigan

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Ionia safe to drink?
Ionia earns a B safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
Ionia meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Ionia serve?
Ionia serves approximately 12,997 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Ionia's water source?
Ionia draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Ionia's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00321 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Ionia's service area?
The Ionia service area has a median household income of $66,717. EPA EJScreen data classifies 31% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Ionia get its water?
Ionia'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.
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