Monitoring Violations MI

Sparta

EPA ID: MI0006200 · 4,140 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Within the five-year EPA monitoring span, Sparta accumulated 4 violations — every finding has been resolved and the utility operates in full compliance today, supplying water to approximately 4,140 people without any active enforcement proceedings.

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

B · 81
Avg Safety Score
4,140
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
4
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00228 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
2
Contaminants Flagged
$257K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$79,701
Median Household Income
18,808
Service Area Population
32%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
54%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Sparta serves a community with a median household income of $79,701 and an estimated 18,808 residents across its service area. Approximately 54% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 32% 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

Sparta'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
80th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

39 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
31 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 56% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Sparta compares to EPA limits

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

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.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Michigan

City of Linden
4,150 people
B 18 violations
Lowell
4,150 people
B 3 violations
D 0 violations
Otsego
4,120 people
A 5 violations
City of Algonac
4,110 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $1,000

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 $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,000 (one-time) vs. $5,000 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

SPARTA (EPA ID: MI0006200) is a community water system in Michigan that serves approximately 4,140 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (81/100)

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

Violation History

4 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 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
49345 0.00228 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: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Sparta (MI0006200) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sparta water safe to drink?

Sparta has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Sparta serve?

Sparta serves approximately 4,140 people across 2 ZIP codes in Michigan.

Where does Sparta 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
58

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
56
Galvanized — Replacement Required
49
Unknown Material
1,530
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: 4,140
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 Sparta safe to drink?
Sparta earns a B safety grade with 4 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Sparta's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Surface Water Treatment Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 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 Sparta serve?
Sparta serves approximately 4,140 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Sparta's water source?
Sparta draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Sparta's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00228 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Sparta's service area?
The Sparta service area has a median household income of $79,701. EPA EJScreen data classifies 32% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Sparta get its water?
Sparta'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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

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

Sparta (EPA ID: MI0006200) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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