Health Violations Found MI 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Shepherd, Village of

EPA ID: MI0006030 · 1,515 people served · 3 ZIP codes

While corrective steps may be in progress, Shepherd, Village of currently shows 2 EPA violations unresolved — serving a population of approximately 1,515.

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

B · 83
Avg Safety Score
1,515
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
10
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.006 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
6
Contaminants Flagged
$155K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 2 (2022) to 3 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Shepherd, Village of Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$56,108
Median Household Income
59,439
Service Area Population
40%
Disadvantaged Population
47th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
62%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Shepherd, Village of serves a community with a median household income of $56,108 and an estimated 59,439 residents across its service area. Approximately 62% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 40% 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

Shepherd, Village of'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

Infrastructure Risk

54 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
15 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 78% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Shepherd, Village of compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Total Coliform at 4 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded.

State limits: PFOA: 0.008 ppt, PFOS: 0.016 ppt, PFNA: 0.006 ppt, PFHxS: 0.051 ppt, PFBS: 0.42 ppt, HFPO-DA: 0.37 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Michigan

City of Standish
1,509 people
B 12 violations
0 violations
B 6 violations
City of Scottville,
1,536 people
B 2 violations
Lake Doster
1,492 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,400
Water Filtration $200
PFAS Treatment $167
Total Estimated Cost $1,767

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,767 (one-time) vs. $10,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Shepherd, Village of (EPA ID: MI0006030) is a community water system in Michigan that serves approximately 1,515 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (83/100)

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

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 13, 2025 Total Coliform Monitoring Resolved
November 12, 2024 Total Coliform Monitoring Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Lead Monitoring Resolved
November 17, 2023 Total Coliform Monitoring Resolved
August 11, 2023 Total Coliform Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Coliform Microbiological 4 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
48883 0.006 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

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 Shepherd, Village of (MI0006030) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shepherd, Village of water safe to drink?

Shepherd, Village of has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Shepherd, Village of serve?

Shepherd, Village of serves approximately 1,515 people across 3 ZIP codes in Michigan.

Where does Shepherd, Village of get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

0
Confirmed Lead
32
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
560
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
Reporting compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 2E.
Compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 4G.
Population served: 1,515
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 Shepherd, Village of safe to drink?
Shepherd, Village of earns a B safety grade with 10 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Shepherd, Village of's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Total Coliform, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Shepherd, Village of serve?
Shepherd, Village of serves approximately 1,515 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Shepherd, Village of's water source?
Shepherd, Village of draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Shepherd, Village of's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.006 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Shepherd, Village of's service area?
The Shepherd, Village of service area has a median household income of $56,108. EPA EJScreen data classifies 40% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Shepherd, Village of get its water?
Shepherd, Village of'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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Shepherd, Village of (EPA ID: MI0006030) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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