Is Elsie, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 8 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
83.4/100
waterverge.com Elsie, MI — Water Quality Report
Elsie's drinking water received a grade of B+ (83.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 966 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 15 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 8 remain unresolved.
What to know about Elsie's water
Elsie ranks #296 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Elsie 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, Elsie may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Elsie, MI water safe to drink?
Elsie's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (83.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 966 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Elsie
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Elsie's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (83.4/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Chlorine.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule, Lead and Copper Rule.
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 Elsie's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Elsie's water system has 15 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 8 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Clinton County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1986. 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 Elsie's water come from?
Elsie's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 966 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Elsie residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Elsie's water.
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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Elsie
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Elsie, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 3,326 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOC OVID, MI48866 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 1,693 | 5.7 mi |
MWC MICHIGAN LLC. SAINT JOHNS, MI48879 | Ammonia | 1,633 | 9.6 mi |
AGROLIQUID - ASHLEY ASHLEY, MI48806 | — | — | 8.3 mi |
PROLIANT DAIRY MICHIGAN LLC SAINT JOHNS, MI48879 | — | — | 9.6 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Clinton County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1986. 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Elsie compares by contaminant
Explore where Elsie ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Elsie's water comes from
Elsie'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 966 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Elsie
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELSIE, VILLAGE OF | MI0002120 | 966 | GW |
How Elsie compares
Full Michigan rankings →Elsie's score of 83.4/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About Elsie, MI
Wikipedia →Elsie is a village in Clinton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, Elsie had a population of 930. The village consists of two noncontiguous portions within Duplain Township in the northeast portion of Clinton County—the smaller of which contains the village's Riverside Cemetery.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Elsie's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Clinton
Frequently asked questions
Is Elsie, MI tap water safe to drink?
Elsie's water quality earned a grade of B+ (83.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #296 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Elsie's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 15 violations are on record.
How is Elsie'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 Elsie?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Elsie's water come from?
Elsie's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 966 residents.
What health violations has Elsie's water system had?
Elsie has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in June 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 8 violations remain unresolved.
Is Elsie's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Elsie 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 15 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 Elsie's water compare to other cities?
Elsie ranks #296 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 43% of state cities) and #6460 out of 15744 cities nationally (59th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Elsie's small water system affect quality?
Elsie's system serves approximately 966 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 15 violations on record.