WaterVerge

Is Janesville, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Janesville ranks. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: WI1540126
Overall Score
96.1 / 100
Violations
None active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#9 of 520 in Michigan Top 2% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
96.1/100
waterverge.com
A+ 96.1/100

Janesville, MI — Water Quality Report

Janesville's drinking water received a grade of A+ (96.1 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,200 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.7 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 8 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.

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

What to know about Janesville's water

Janesville ranks #9 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
96.1 out of 100 Grade A+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.1/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.7 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Janesville, MI water safe to drink?

Generally Safe

Based on EPA testing data, Janesville's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (96.1/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,200 residents using groundwater (wells).

None
Violations
0.7 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
4 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Janesville

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Janesville's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (96.1/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4757). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4195). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.7 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Janesville's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.

MCLMR
Most recent violations:
Aug 2010 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Aug 2002 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jun 1998 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jan 1998 Nitrate Resolved
Aug 1996 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Oakland 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 River Rouge, Upper River Rouge, Johnson Creek, Middle River Rouge.

SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4757
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4195
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3225

Where does Janesville's water come from?

Janesville's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,200 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include River Rouge (river), Upper River Rouge (river), Johnson Creek (river), Middle River Rouge (river).

What Janesville 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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Janesville'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.7 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 4% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

8
Total violations
5
Health-based
0
Active / unresolved
Aug 2010
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

8 Total
0 Active
5 Health-based
8 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
4
Nitrate Rule
4
Aug 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 2010
Aug 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 2002
Jun 1998 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1998
Jan 1998 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1998
Aug 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 1996
Oct 1981 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1982
Feb 1979 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Feb 1980
Feb 1979 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Oct 1981
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

4
Declared disasters
Feb 2024
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Oakland 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.

Feb 2024
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4757
Sep 2014
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4195
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3225
Apr 1975
SEVERE STORMS, HIGH WINDS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #465

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.7 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 decreased by 2.5 ppb from 1993 (3.2 ppb) to 2024 (0.7 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
1,200
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Janesville's water comes from

Groundwater

Janesville'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 private ownership and serves approximately 1,200 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Janesville

Janesville is located near 4 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

River Rouge
river
Upper River Rouge
river
Johnson Creek
river
Middle River Rouge
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Janesville

System Name PWSID Population Source
ROCKVALE MHP WI1540126 1,200 GW
Regional Comparison

How Janesville compares

Full Michigan rankings →

Janesville's score of 96.1/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Janesville (this city)
96.1
Detroit
84.1
Ann Arbor
51.5
Lansing
57.3
Michigan avg
70
City Profile

About Janesville, MI

Wikipedia →

Farmington Hills is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northwestern suburb of Detroit, Farmington Hills is located roughly 22 miles (35.4 km) from downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 83,986, making it the second-largest community in Oakland County.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Janesville, MI tap water safe to drink?

Janesville's water quality earned a grade of A+ (96.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #9 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.

What contaminants are in Janesville's water?

Lead was measured at 0.7 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.

How is Janesville'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 Janesville?

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

Where does Janesville's water come from?

Janesville's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,200 residents.

What health violations has Janesville's water system had?

Janesville has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2010. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.

Is Janesville's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Janesville 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 8 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 Janesville's water compare to other cities?

Janesville ranks #9 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 98% of state cities) and #227 out of 15744 cities nationally (99th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Janesville's small water system affect quality?

Janesville'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 8 violations on record.