Is Onaway, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
85.5/100
waterverge.com Onaway, MI — Water Quality Report
Onaway's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 880 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 17 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.
What to know about Onaway's water
Onaway ranks #234 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Onaway 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, Onaway may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Onaway, MI water safe to drink?
Onaway's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 880 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Onaway
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Onaway's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (85.5/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Chlorine.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3225). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Violation history
Onaway's water system has 17 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Presque Isle 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.
Where does Onaway's water come from?
Onaway's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 880 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Onaway residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Onaway'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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
Presque Isle 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 Onaway compares by contaminant
Explore where Onaway ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Onaway's water comes from
Onaway'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 880 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Onaway
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONAWAY, CITY OF | MI0005010 | 880 | GW |
How Onaway compares
Full Michigan rankings →Onaway's score of 85.5/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About Onaway, MI
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Onaway's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Presque Isle
Frequently asked questions
Is Onaway, MI tap water safe to drink?
Onaway's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #234 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Onaway's water?
17 violations are on record.
How is Onaway'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 Onaway?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Onaway's water come from?
Onaway's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 880 residents.
Is Onaway's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Onaway 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 17 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 Onaway's water compare to other cities?
Onaway ranks #234 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 55% of state cities) and #5310 out of 15744 cities nationally (66th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Onaway's small water system affect quality?
Onaway's system serves approximately 880 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 17 violations on record.