Is New Lothrop, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A- — but Chlorate was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
87.8/100
New Lothrop, MI — Water Quality Report
New Lothrop's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 610 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 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 10 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about New Lothrop's water
New Lothrop ranks #174 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
New Lothrop 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, New Lothrop may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New Lothrop, MI water safe to drink?
New Lothrop's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 610 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for New Lothrop
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Lothrop's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87.8/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3225). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-774). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for New Lothrop's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
New Lothrop's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 3 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Shiawassee County has experienced 5 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 Shiawassee River.
Where does New Lothrop's water come from?
New Lothrop's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 610 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Shiawassee River (river).
What New Lothrop residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in New Lothrop's water.
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.
New Lothrop'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
Shiawassee County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 2.0 ppb (2024)
EPA action level: 15 ppb
See how New Lothrop compares by contaminant
Explore where New Lothrop ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New Lothrop's water comes from
New Lothrop'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 610 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near New Lothrop
New Lothrop is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving New Lothrop
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW LOTHROP, VILLAGE OF | MI0004700 | 610 | GW |
How New Lothrop compares
Full Michigan rankings →New Lothrop's score of 87.8/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About New Lothrop, MI
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New Lothrop's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Shiawassee
Frequently asked questions
Is New Lothrop, MI tap water safe to drink?
New Lothrop's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #174 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in New Lothrop's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.
How is New Lothrop'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 New Lothrop?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Lothrop's water come from?
New Lothrop's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 610 residents.
What health violations has New Lothrop's water system had?
New Lothrop has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
Is New Lothrop's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Lothrop 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 10 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 New Lothrop's water compare to other cities?
New Lothrop ranks #174 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 67% of state cities) and #3847 out of 15744 cities nationally (76th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New Lothrop's small water system affect quality?
New Lothrop's system serves approximately 610 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 10 violations on record.