WaterVerge

Is Byron, 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 ↓

581 residents served 1 water system PWSID: MI0001020
Overall Score
86.9 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#196 of 520 in Michigan Top 28% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
86.9/100
waterverge.com
A- 86.9/100

Byron, MI — Water Quality Report

Byron's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 581 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 13 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Byron's water

Byron ranks #196 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Byron 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, Byron may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
86.9 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
36.9/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Byron, MI water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Byron's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (86.9/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 581 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
2.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Byron

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Byron's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.9/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Combined Radium (-226 and -228).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Combined Radium (-226 and -228).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Combined Radium (-226 and -228).

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3225). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

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 Byron's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Byron's water system has 13 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MCLOtherMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 2024 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) Resolved
Jul 2024 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) Resolved
Apr 2024 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) Resolved
Jul 2021 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2016 Arsenic Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Shiawassee County has experienced 5 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.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3225
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-774
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-744

Where does Byron's water come from?

Byron's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 581 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Byron residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Byron'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
2.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 13% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

13
Total violations
7
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Oct 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

13 Total
1 Active
7 Health-based
12 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
5
Total Coliform Rule
3
Arsenic Rule
2
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2024
Jul 2024 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2024
Apr 2024 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2024
Jan 2016 Resolved
Arsenic
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2016
Aug 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2016
Aug 2015 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2016
Jan 2007 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2007
Jan 2006 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2006
Nov 2004 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2004
Aug 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 1994
Sep 1993 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1993
Jul 1984 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1988
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Shiawassee County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3225
Sep 1986
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #774
Sep 1985
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #744
Sep 1975
SEVERE STORMS, HIGH WINDS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #486
Apr 1975
SEVERE STORMS, HIGH WINDS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #465

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level (90th percentile)

Latest reading: 2.0 ppb (2024)

EPA action level: 15 ppb

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
581
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Byron's water comes from

Groundwater

Byron'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 581 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Byron

System Name PWSID Population Source
BYRON, VILLAGE OF MI0001020 581 GW
Regional Comparison

How Byron compares

Full Michigan rankings →

Byron's score of 86.9/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Byron (this city)
86.9
Detroit
84.1
Ann Arbor
51.5
Lansing
57.3
Michigan avg
70
City Profile

About Byron, MI

Economic Profile
$70,417
Median Income
$159,536
Median Home Value
$870/mo
Median Rent
4.7%
Unemployment
Community
38.9
Median Age
330
People / sq mi
21.1%
College Educated
84.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Byron, MI tap water safe to drink?

Byron's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #196 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.

What contaminants are in Byron's water?

Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 13 violations are on record.

How is Byron'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 Byron?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Byron's water come from?

Byron's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 581 residents.

What health violations has Byron's water system had?

Byron has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Byron's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Byron 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 13 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 Byron's water compare to other cities?

Byron ranks #196 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 62% of state cities) and #4413 out of 15744 cities nationally (72th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Byron's small water system affect quality?

Byron's system serves approximately 581 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 13 violations on record.