Is Memphis, 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 ↓
91.2/100
waterverge.com Memphis, MI — Water Quality Report
Memphis's drinking water received a grade of A (91.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,084 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 5 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Memphis's water
Memphis ranks #90 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Memphis 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, Memphis may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Memphis, MI water safe to drink?
Memphis's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,084 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Memphis
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Memphis's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.2/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4757). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4195). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Violation history
Memphis's water system has 5 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Macomb County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Belle River, East Branch Coon Creek.
Where does Memphis's water come from?
Memphis's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,084 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Belle River (river), East Branch Coon Creek (river).
What Memphis 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.
Memphis'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.
Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Memphis
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Memphis, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
ARMADA RUBBER MANUFACTURING CO ARMADA, MI48005 | — | — | 6.1 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Macomb County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Memphis compares by contaminant
Explore where Memphis ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Memphis's water comes from
Memphis'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 1,084 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Memphis
Memphis is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Memphis
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEMPHIS, CITY OF | MI0004230 | 1,084 | GW |
How Memphis compares
Full Michigan rankings →Memphis's score of 91.2/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About Memphis, MI
Wikipedia →Memphis is a city that straddles the border between Macomb and St. Clair counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,084 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Memphis's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across St. Clair
Frequently asked questions
Is Memphis, MI tap water safe to drink?
Memphis's water quality earned a grade of A (91.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #90 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Memphis's water?
5 violations are on record.
How is Memphis'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 Memphis?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Memphis's water come from?
Memphis's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,084 residents.
Is Memphis's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Memphis 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 5 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 Memphis's water compare to other cities?
Memphis ranks #90 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 83% of state cities) and #1831 out of 15744 cities nationally (88th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Memphis's small water system affect quality?
Memphis's system serves approximately 1,084 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 5 violations on record.