01The verdict: is Keego Harbor water safe?
Keego Harbor's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (47.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 553 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.76 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓18 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Keego Harbor's drinking water received a grade of D (47.8 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 553 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 80 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 21 remain unresolved.
Keego Harbor ranks #487 out of 513 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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, Keego Harbor may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 18 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Keego Harbor's water
Every contaminant flagged in Keego Harbor, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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 |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.76 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Michigan
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Michigan
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Keego Harbor's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 80 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 21 remain unresolved.
2 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 22 ppb since 2001. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2024) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
1.8mg/L(2018)
One sampling round on record — 135% of the 1.3mg/L EPA action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Keego Harbor's water comes from
Keego Harbor's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
5 systems
5 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
553 people
Residents served across Keego Harbor's service area.
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 local government ownership and serves approximately 553 people through 5 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEEGO HARBOR, CITY OF | MI0003595 | 2,733 | Purchased Surface Water |
| THE PENINSULA DEVELOPMENT LLC | MI0005229 | 270 | Groundwater |
| SHANGRAI-LA VILLAGE | MI0040026 | 165 | Groundwater |
| SILVER LAKE MOBILE HOME PARK | MI0040322 | 68 | Groundwater |
| LAKEVIEW CHALET CONDOMINIUMS | MI0005445 | 50 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Keego Harbor's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
4 federal disaster declarations on record for Oakland County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Keego Harbor compares
Scores for nearby Michigan cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Michigan average (70/100)
Keego Harbor scores 47.8/100 — below the Michigan average of 70/100. It outscores 2 of 10 nearby cities. Full Michigan rankings →
84.1 / 100BGrand Rapids, MI
70.2 / 100DAnn Arbor, MI
51.5 / 100CLansing, MI
57.3 / 100FKalamazoo, MI
35 / 100DFlint, MI
45.8 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Keego Harbor's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Keego Harbor alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Keego Harbor, MI tap water safe to drink?
Keego Harbor's water quality earned a grade of D (47.8/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #487 out of 513 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Keego Harbor's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 80 violations are on record.
How is Keego Harbor'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 Keego Harbor?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Keego Harbor's water come from?
Keego Harbor's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 5 water systems serving approximately 553 residents.
What health violations has Keego Harbor's water system had?
Keego Harbor has 13 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 21 violations remain unresolved.
Is Keego Harbor's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Keego Harbor 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 80 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 Keego Harbor's water compare to other cities?
Keego Harbor ranks #487 out of 513 cities in Michigan (better than 5% of state cities) and #13313 out of 15382 cities nationally (14th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.