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WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 48135 Water Quality Report

Garden City, MI · Wayne County County

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

1

Lead Risk

Very High

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 48135

Tap water in ZIP code 48135 (Garden City, MI) receives a C grade (score: 68/100) based on EPA monitoring data. While the water from Garden City is treated and regulated, this area has a moderate violation history that residents should be aware of.

Water System

Garden City

EPA ID: MI0002550

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

27,625 residents

County

Wayne County County, Michigan

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Lead Levels in ZIP 48135

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 17.6 ppb — EXCEEDS EPA Action Level

The 90th percentile lead level in 48135 is 17.6 ppb, which EXCEEDS the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This is a serious concern. The water utility is legally required to notify residents, identify the source of contamination, and take corrective action. Do not give this water to infants, children, or pregnant women without first passing it through a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter. Contact Garden City immediately for current guidance, or call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Lead exposure risk in 48135 is rated Very High. EPA models estimate a 86% probability of lead exposure risk in this ZIP code based on housing age, infrastructure age, and water system data. This is among the highest risk categories nationally, often associated with heavily aging infrastructure and pre-1986 construction. Do not give unfiltered tap water to children under 6 or pregnant women. Consider getting your home's plumbing tested for lead solder and fixtures.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
17.60 ppb (0.0176 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Very High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

86%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Garden City has recorded 1 violation, but none are health-based. Administrative or reporting violations don't directly indicate unsafe water, but they do signal gaps in documentation or monitoring procedures. 1 violation is currently unresolved — meaning the issue has not yet been formally corrected in EPA records. This is a serious concern that residents should follow up on with their water utility.

Total Violations (5 yr)
1
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
1
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Moderate

Regulatory compliance risk is rated Moderate. Garden City has had occasional lapses in compliance but generally meets Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 48135. This means EPA monitoring has not found levels of regulated contaminants exceeding the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) set under the Safe Drinking Water Act — a positive indicator of water quality compliance.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 2 enforcement actions against Garden City. Enforcement actions are formal compliance orders or penalties issued when a utility fails to address violations within required timeframes.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$0
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

2.59%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 48135 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 48135 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 48135?+
Tap water in 48135 (Garden City, MI) is treated and regulated, but has a grade of C due to past violations. For most healthy adults, treated tap water is generally safe. Families with infants, young children, or immunocompromised individuals may want to use a certified water filter as a precaution.
What is the lead level in 48135 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 48135 is 17.6 ppb (parts per billion). The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This exceeds the EPA action level — use a certified lead-reducing water filter.
Who provides tap water to 48135?+
Tap water in ZIP code 48135 is provided by Garden City (EPA ID: MI0002550). This system serves approximately 27,625 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 48135?+
ZIP code 48135 is served by surface water. Surface water systems draw from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and must meet strict EPA treatment requirements including filtration and disinfection.
Does 48135 have any active water quality violations?+
Yes — there are currently 1 unresolved violation on record for this water system. Unresolved violations indicate issues that have not yet been formally corrected in EPA tracking systems. Contact Garden City for the latest update.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 48135?+
Your water utility — Garden City — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "Garden City Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 48135?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 48135, with a clean compliance record, a standard carbon block filter meeting NSF/ANSI 42 is a good choice for taste and as a precaution.
Is 48135 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Given the detected lead level of 17.6 ppb in 48135, we recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter or certified bottled water for preparing infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 48135 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Garden City. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →