Is Ashley, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A — but Manganese was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
90.5/100
waterverge.com Ashley, MI — Water Quality Report
Ashley's drinking water received a grade of A (90.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 526 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 18 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Ashley's water
Ashley ranks #107 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Ashley relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Ashley may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Ashley, MI water safe to drink?
Ashley's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (90.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 526 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Ashley
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Ashley's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.5/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3225). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-774). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Ashley's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Ashley's water system has 18 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Gratiot County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Ashley's water come from?
Ashley's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 526 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Ashley residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Ashley's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Ashley
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Ashley, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
AGROLIQUID - ASHLEY ASHLEY, MI48806 | — | — | 0.3 mi |
HUTCHINSON AEROSPACE & INDUSTRY ITHACA, MI48847 | — | — | 9.0 mi |
AIRCRAFT PRECISION PRODUCTS INC. ITHACA, MI48847 | — | — | 9.3 mi |
ZFS ITHACA LLC ITHACA, MI48847 | — | — | 8.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Gratiot County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 1.0 ppb (2024)
EPA action level: 15 ppb
See how Ashley compares by contaminant
Explore where Ashley ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Ashley's water comes from
Ashley's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 526 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Ashley
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASHLEY, VILLAGE OF | MI0000250 | 526 | GW |
How Ashley compares
Full Michigan rankings →Ashley's score of 90.5/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About Ashley, MI
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Ashley's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Gratiot
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashley, MI tap water safe to drink?
Ashley's water quality earned a grade of A (90.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #107 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Ashley's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 18 violations are on record.
How is Ashley's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Ashley?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Ashley's water come from?
Ashley's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 526 residents.
What health violations has Ashley's water system had?
Ashley has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
Is Ashley's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Ashley uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 18 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Ashley's water compare to other cities?
Ashley ranks #107 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 79% of state cities) and #2216 out of 15744 cities nationally (86th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Ashley's small water system affect quality?
Ashley's system serves approximately 526 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 18 violations on record.