Is Frankfort, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+ — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
82.9/100
waterverge.com Frankfort, MI — Water Quality Report
Frankfort's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,286 residents using groundwater.
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 14 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
What to know about Frankfort's water
Frankfort ranks #309 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Frankfort 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, Frankfort may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Frankfort, MI water safe to drink?
Frankfort's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,286 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Frankfort
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Frankfort's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.9/100).
Contaminants: E. COLI.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3225). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Frankfort's water supply.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Frankfort's water system has 14 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Benzie 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 Frankfort's water come from?
Frankfort's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,286 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Frankfort residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Frankfort'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
Flood & disaster history
Benzie 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.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Frankfort's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.57 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Copper level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 1.570 mg/L (1993)
EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
See how Frankfort compares by contaminant
Explore where Frankfort ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Frankfort's water comes from
Frankfort'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 1,286 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Frankfort
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANKFORT, CITY OF | MI0002430 | 1,286 | GW |
How Frankfort compares
Full Michigan rankings →Frankfort's score of 82.9/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About Frankfort, MI
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Frankfort's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Benzie
Frequently asked questions
Is Frankfort, MI tap water safe to drink?
Frankfort's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #309 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Frankfort's water?
14 violations are on record.
How is Frankfort'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 Frankfort?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Frankfort's water come from?
Frankfort's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,286 residents.
Is Frankfort's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Frankfort 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 14 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 Frankfort's water compare to other cities?
Frankfort ranks #309 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 41% of state cities) and #6701 out of 15744 cities nationally (57th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Frankfort's small water system affect quality?
Frankfort's system serves approximately 1,286 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 14 violations on record.