Is Deerfield, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded C, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
61.2/100
waterverge.com Deerfield, MI — Water Quality Report
Deerfield's drinking water received a grade of C (61.2 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 943 residents using surface water.
Lead data is not currently available for this system. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 131 violations on record, including 91 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Deerfield's water
Deerfield ranks #471 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Deerfield may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 19 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Deerfield, MI water safe to drink?
Deerfield's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of C (61.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 943 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Deerfield
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Deerfield's water quality assessment. Grade: C (61.2/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE.
Contaminants: ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE, 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE.
Contaminants: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, LASSO, HEXACHLOROBENZENE.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3225). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Violation history
Deerfield's water system has 131 total violations on record, including 91 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 19 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Lenawee County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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 Deerfield's water come from?
Deerfield's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 943 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Deerfield 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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Deerfield
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Deerfield, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
FCA US DUNDEE ENGINE PLANT DUNDEE, MI48131 | — | — | 8.2 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Lenawee County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
No contaminant data available for this city.
See how Deerfield compares by contaminant
Explore where Deerfield ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Deerfield's water comes from
Deerfield's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 943 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Deerfield
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEERFIELD | MI0001770 | 943 | SW |
How Deerfield compares
Full Michigan rankings →Deerfield's score of 61.2/100 is below the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 6 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About Deerfield, MI
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Deerfield's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Lenawee
Frequently asked questions
Is Deerfield, MI tap water safe to drink?
Deerfield's water quality earned a grade of C (61.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #471 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Deerfield's water?
131 violations are on record.
How is Deerfield'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 Deerfield?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Deerfield's water come from?
Deerfield's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 943 residents.
What health violations has Deerfield's water system had?
Deerfield has 91 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Deerfield's water compare to other cities?
Deerfield ranks #471 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 9% of state cities) and #12007 out of 15744 cities nationally (24th percentile). The grade of C reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Deerfield's small water system affect quality?
Deerfield's system serves approximately 943 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 131 violations on record.