WaterVerge

Is Grawn, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MI0000743
Overall Score
86.8 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#197 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
86.8/100
waterverge.com
A- 86.8/100

Grawn, MI — Water Quality Report

Grawn's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,788 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 3.0 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 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Grawn's water

Grawn ranks #197 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
86.8 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.8/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 3.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Grawn, MI water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Grawn's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (86.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,788 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
3.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Grawn

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Grawn's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.8/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Grawn's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 3.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Grawn's water system has 2 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

Other
Most recent violations:
Jul 2002 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2001 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Grand Traverse 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. Local water sources include Boardman River.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3225

Where does Grawn's water come from?

Grawn's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,788 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Boardman River (river).

What Grawn 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.

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
3.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 20% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

2
Total violations
0
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Jul 2002
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

2 Total
2 Active
0 Health-based
0 Resolved
Jul 2002 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Grawn

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Grawn, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
CONE DRIVE OPERATIONS INC.
Machinery · THE TIMKEN CO
TRAVERSE CITY, MI49684
7.3 mi
CENTURY SUN METAL TREATING
Fabricated Metals · CENTURY LLC
TRAVERSE CITY, MI49686
8.0 mi
CENTURY SPECIALTIES
Machinery · CENTURY LLC
TRAVERSE CITY, MI49686
8.0 mi
GRAND TRAVERSE STAMPING
Transportation Equipment · AEES INC
TRAVERSE CITY, MI49686
6.6 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Grawn

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Grand Traverse 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.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3225

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 3.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 1.0 ppb from 2017 (2.0 ppb) to 2024 (3.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,788
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Grawn's water comes from

Groundwater

Grawn'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 2,788 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Grawn

Grawn is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Boardman River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Grawn

System Name PWSID Population Source
BLAIR TOWNSHIP MI0000743 2,788 GW
Regional Comparison

How Grawn compares

Full Michigan rankings →

Grawn's score of 86.8/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Grawn (this city)
86.8
Detroit
84.1
Ann Arbor
51.5
Lansing
57.3
Michigan avg
70
City Profile

About Grawn, MI

Wikipedia →

Grawn is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the community's population was 816. The community is located within Blair Township on the border with Green Lake Township.

Economic Profile
$65,795
Median Income
$129,361
Median Home Value
0%
Unemployment
Community
38
Median Age
505
People / sq mi
11.6%
College Educated
90.3%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Grawn, MI tap water safe to drink?

Grawn's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #197 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.

What contaminants are in Grawn's water?

Lead was measured at 3.0 ppb (90th percentile). 2 violations are on record.

How is Grawn'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 Grawn?

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

Where does Grawn's water come from?

Grawn's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,788 residents.

Is Grawn's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Grawn 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 Grawn's water compare to other cities?

Grawn ranks #197 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 62% of state cities) and #4452 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 Grawn's small water system affect quality?

Grawn's system serves approximately 2,788 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.