01The verdict: is East Kingsford water safe?
East Kingsford's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,200 residents using groundwater (wells).
1 unresolved violation on record
EPA records show an open compliance item for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 2.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓Check back after the next refresh
EPA data updates on a rolling basis; we fold in new samples and violations every month.
Get alerts ↓East Kingsford's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,200 residents using purchased ground water.
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 2 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
East Kingsford ranks #122 out of 513 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it above average in the state. East Kingsford purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. As a small community water system, East Kingsford may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in East Kingsford's water
Every contaminant flagged in East Kingsford, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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 |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Michigan
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Michigan
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03East Kingsford's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 2 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
9 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 1 ppb since 2019. Latest reading: 2 ppb (2023) — 13% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where East Kingsford's water comes from
East Kingsford purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,200 people
Residents served across East Kingsford's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of East Kingsford's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,200 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BREITUNG TWP.-EAST KINGSFORD | MI0001980 | 1,200 | Purchased Groundwater |
Water bodies near East Kingsford
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on East Kingsford's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
1 federal disaster declaration on record for Dickinson County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How East Kingsford compares
Scores for nearby Michigan cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Michigan average (70/100)
East Kingsford scores 89.6/100 — above the Michigan average of 70/100. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities. Full Michigan rankings →
84.1 / 100BGrand Rapids, MI
70.2 / 100DAnn Arbor, MI
51.5 / 100CLansing, MI
57.3 / 100FKalamazoo, MI
35 / 100DFlint, MI
45.8 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in East Kingsford's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
East Kingsford's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for East Kingsford alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is East Kingsford, MI tap water safe to drink?
East Kingsford's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #122 out of 513 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in East Kingsford's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 2 violations are on record.
How is East Kingsford'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 East Kingsford?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does East Kingsford's water come from?
East Kingsford's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,200 residents.
What health violations has East Kingsford's water system had?
East Kingsford has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2019. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is East Kingsford's groundwater at risk of contamination?
East Kingsford 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 2 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 East Kingsford's water compare to other cities?
East Kingsford ranks #122 out of 513 cities in Michigan (better than 76% of state cities) and #2707 out of 15382 cities nationally (82th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does East Kingsford's small water system affect quality?
East Kingsford's system serves approximately 1,200 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 2 violations on record.