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WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 48204 Water Quality Report

Detroit, MI · Wayne County County

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

3

Total Violations

6

Lead Risk

Very High

Contaminants

1

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 48204

Tap water in ZIP code 48204 (Detroit, MI) meets all federal safety standards and earns a solid B grade (score: 77/100). Served by City of Detroit, the water system has maintained general compliance with EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, with only minor issues on record.

Water System

City of Detroit

EPA ID: MI0001800

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

633,218 residents

County

Wayne County County, Michigan

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Lead Levels in ZIP 48204

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

Lead Level: 7.5 ppb — Below Action Level

The 90th percentile lead level in 48204 is 7.5 ppb, below the EPA action level of 15 ppb but above what many health experts consider ideal. The CDC and EPA both affirm there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Families with young children or pregnant women should consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter, and request lead testing of their home's tap water.

Lead exposure risk in 48204 is rated Very High. EPA models estimate a 81% 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)
7.50 ppb (0.0075 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

13 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

0.1 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Very High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

81%
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

City of Detroit has recorded 3 health-based violations in the past 5 years. Multiple health violations suggest recurring compliance challenges. Residents should request a copy of the annual Consumer Confidence Report to understand what contaminants were involved and what corrective actions were taken. 3 violations are 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)
6
Health-Based Violations
3
Unresolved Violations
3
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Low

Regulatory compliance risk for City of Detroit is rated Low — indicating a consistent track record of meeting EPA reporting and treatment requirements.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant associated with health-based violations in ZIP code 48204: Chlorite. These contaminants exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act at some point in the 5-year monitoring period. The presence of these violations does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe — water systems are often required to increase monitoring and treatment when violations occur. Review the annual Consumer Confidence Report for the most current status.

Chlorite

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (58 ppb); Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (32 ppb); Lead (13 ppb); Total Organic Carbon (2.03 ppm*)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

10 enforcement actions have been issued against City of Detroit — a high number that reflects sustained compliance struggles. Enforcement actions escalate from administrative orders to financial penalties when utilities repeatedly fail to meet safe drinking water standards.
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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
CCR Source Classification
Detroit River (two intakes near Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie), Lake Huron
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

5.08%

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

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 48204 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from City of Detroit
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 48204 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 48204?+
Yes — tap water in 48204 (Detroit, MI) currently meets all federal EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years. You can drink your tap water with confidence, though running the tap for 30 seconds in the morning is always a good practice.
What is the lead level in 48204 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 48204 is 7.5 ppb (parts per billion). The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the action level, but some health experts recommend a lead filter for families with young children.
Who provides tap water to 48204?+
Tap water in ZIP code 48204 is provided by City of Detroit (EPA ID: MI0001800). This system serves approximately 633,218 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 48204?+
ZIP code 48204 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 48204 have any active water quality violations?+
Yes — there are currently 3 unresolved violations on record for this water system. Unresolved violations indicate issues that have not yet been formally corrected in EPA tracking systems. Contact City of Detroit for the latest update.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 48204?+
Your water utility — City of Detroit — 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 "City of Detroit Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 48204?+
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 48204, with detected contaminants including Chlorite, a multi-stage filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended.
Is 48204 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 7.5 ppb in 48204, 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 48204 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 City of Detroit. 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 →