Is Kalkaska, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
88.1/100
waterverge.com Kalkaska, MI — Water Quality Report
Kalkaska's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,020 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 3 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Kalkaska's water
Kalkaska ranks #169 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Kalkaska 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, Kalkaska may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Kalkaska, MI water safe to drink?
Kalkaska's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (88.1/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,020 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Kalkaska
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Kalkaska's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.1/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3225). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Violation history
Kalkaska's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Kalkaska 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 Spencer Creek.
Where does Kalkaska's water come from?
Kalkaska's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,020 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Spencer Creek (river).
What Kalkaska 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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Kalkaska
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Kalkaska, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS CODING PRODUCTS DIV KALKASKA, MI49646 | — | — | 0.8 mi |
KALKASKA GAS PLANT KALKASKA, MI49646 | — | — | 2.4 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Kalkaska 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.
Full contaminants report
No contaminant data available for this city.
See how Kalkaska compares by contaminant
Explore where Kalkaska ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Kalkaska's water comes from
Kalkaska'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 2,020 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Kalkaska
Kalkaska is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Kalkaska
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| KALKASKA, VILLAGE OF | MI0003560 | 2,020 | GW |
How Kalkaska compares
Full Michigan rankings →Kalkaska's score of 88.1/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About Kalkaska, MI
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Kalkaska's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Kalkaska
Frequently asked questions
Is Kalkaska, MI tap water safe to drink?
Kalkaska's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #169 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Kalkaska's water?
3 violations are on record.
How is Kalkaska'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 Kalkaska?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Kalkaska's water come from?
Kalkaska's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,020 residents.
Is Kalkaska's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Kalkaska 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 3 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 Kalkaska's water compare to other cities?
Kalkaska ranks #169 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 68% of state cities) and #3642 out of 15744 cities nationally (77th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Kalkaska's small water system affect quality?
Kalkaska's system serves approximately 2,020 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 3 violations on record.