Is Howard City, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Howard City ranks. What to do next ↓
94.8/100
waterverge.com Howard City, MI — Water Quality Report
Howard City's drinking water received a grade of A (94.8 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,800 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 9 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Howard City's water
Howard City ranks #24 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Howard City 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, Howard City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Howard City, MI water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Howard City's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (94.8/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,800 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Howard City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Howard City's water quality assessment. Grade: A (94.8/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
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 Howard City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Howard City's water system has 9 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Montcalm County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1975. 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 Little Muskegon River.
Where does Howard City's water come from?
Howard City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,800 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Little Muskegon River (river).
What Howard City 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.
Howard City's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
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
Montcalm County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1975. 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 (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 0.0 ppb (2024)
EPA action level: 15 ppb
See how Howard City compares by contaminant
Explore where Howard City ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Howard City's water comes from
Howard City'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 1,800 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Howard City
Howard City is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Howard City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOWARD CITY | MI0003240 | 1,800 | GW |
How Howard City compares
Full Michigan rankings →Howard City's score of 94.8/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About Howard City, MI
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Howard City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Montcalm
Frequently asked questions
Is Howard City, MI tap water safe to drink?
Howard City's water quality earned a grade of A (94.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #24 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Howard City's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 9 violations are on record.
How is Howard City'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 Howard City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Howard City's water come from?
Howard City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,800 residents.
What health violations has Howard City's water system had?
Howard City has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
Is Howard City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Howard City 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 9 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 Howard City's water compare to other cities?
Howard City ranks #24 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 95% of state cities) and #426 out of 15744 cities nationally (97th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Howard City's small water system affect quality?
Howard City's system serves approximately 1,800 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 9 violations on record.