WaterVerge

Is Justice, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 9 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IL0315850
Overall Score
84 / 100
Violations
9 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#282 of 520 in Michigan Top 39% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
84/100
waterverge.com
B+ 84/100

Justice, MI — Water Quality Report

Justice's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,954 residents using purchased surface water.

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 22 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Justice's water

Justice ranks #282 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

As a small community water system, Justice may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
84 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
40/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Justice, MI water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Justice's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,954 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

9
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
4 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Justice

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Justice's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (84/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING

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

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Chlorine.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

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

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Justice's water system has 22 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.

MRMONOtherRPT
Most recent violations:
Oct 2020 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Aug 2020 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2020 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2020 Chlorine Resolved
Dec 2019 Revised Total Coliform Rule 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 Justice's water come from?

Justice's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,954 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include River Rouge (river), Upper River Rouge (river), Johnson Creek (river), Middle River Rouge (river).

What Justice residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Justice's water.

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

Justice'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
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

22
Total violations
0
Health-based
9
Active / unresolved
Oct 2020
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

22 Total
9 Active
0 Health-based
13 Resolved
4 SNC
Violations by category
Revised Total Coliform Rule
6
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
4
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
4
Lead and Copper Rule
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
3
Oct 2020 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2019 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2019 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2019 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2018 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2017 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Aug 2020 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Aug 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Jul 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Dec 2019 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Dec 2019
Nov 2019 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Nov 2019
Oct 2019 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2019
Jan 2019 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2019
Sep 2018 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2019
Sep 2018 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2019
Sep 2017 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2018
Sep 2017 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2018
Showing 20 of 22 violations
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) 0.0 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 decreased by 0.8 ppb from 2006 (0.8 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Private
Population Served
1,954
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Justice's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Justice's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 1,954 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Justice

Justice is located near 4 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

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

Water systems serving Justice

System Name PWSID Population Source
STERLING ESTATES MHP IL0315850 1,954 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Justice compares

Full Michigan rankings →

Justice's score of 84/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

Justice (this city)
84
Detroit
84.1
Ann Arbor
51.5
Lansing
57.3
Michigan avg
70
City Profile

About Justice, 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 Justice, MI tap water safe to drink?

Justice's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #282 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.

What contaminants are in Justice's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 22 violations are on record.

How is Justice'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 Justice?

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

Where does Justice's water come from?

Justice's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,954 residents.

How does Justice's water compare to other cities?

Justice ranks #282 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 46% of state cities) and #6149 out of 15744 cities nationally (61th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Justice's small water system affect quality?

Justice's system serves approximately 1,954 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 22 violations on record.