Is Brown City, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
89.8/100
waterverge.com Brown City, MI — Water Quality Report
Brown City's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,316 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 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 8 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Brown City's water
Brown City ranks #121 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Brown City 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, Brown City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Brown City, MI water safe to drink?
Brown City's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,316 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Brown City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Brown City's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.8/100).
Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
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 Brown City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Brown City's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Sanilac County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 Brown City's water come from?
Brown City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,316 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Brown City 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.
Brown City'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 Brown City
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Brown City, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
DGP INC MARLETTE, MI48453 | — | — | 9.0 mi |
GRUPO ANTOLIN MARLETTE MARLETTE, MI48453 | — | — | 8.7 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Sanilac County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 2.0 ppb (2024)
EPA action level: 15 ppb
See how Brown City compares by contaminant
Explore where Brown City ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Brown City's water comes from
Brown City'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 1,316 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Brown City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BROWN CITY | MI0000930 | 1,316 | GW |
How Brown City compares
Full Michigan rankings →Brown City's score of 89.8/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About Brown City, MI
Wikipedia →Brown City is a city in Lapeer and Sanilac counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,302 at the 2020 census. The city is located almost exclusively in Sanilac County, with only a small portion of the city extending into Lapeer County.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Brown City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Sanilac
Frequently asked questions
Is Brown City, MI tap water safe to drink?
Brown City's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #121 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Brown City's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.
How is Brown City'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 Brown City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Brown City's water come from?
Brown City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,316 residents.
What health violations has Brown City's water system had?
Brown City has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is Brown City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Brown City 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 8 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 Brown City's water compare to other cities?
Brown City ranks #121 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 77% of state cities) and #2594 out of 15744 cities nationally (84th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Brown City's small water system affect quality?
Brown City's system serves approximately 1,316 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 8 violations on record.