Is Painesdale, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
82.8/100
waterverge.com Painesdale, MI — Water Quality Report
Painesdale's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,010 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. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Painesdale's water
Painesdale ranks #313 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Painesdale 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, Painesdale may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Painesdale, MI water safe to drink?
Painesdale's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B+ (82.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,010 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Painesdale
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Painesdale's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.8/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Chlorine.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4381). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4121). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Violation history
Painesdale's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Houghton County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 2002. 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 Pilgrim River.
Where does Painesdale's water come from?
Painesdale's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,010 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Pilgrim River (river).
What Painesdale 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.
Painesdale'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
Flood & disaster history
Houghton County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 2002. 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 Painesdale compares by contaminant
Explore where Painesdale ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Painesdale's water comes from
Painesdale'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 2,010 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Painesdale
Painesdale is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Painesdale
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS TOWNSHIP | MI0000020 | 2,010 | GW |
How Painesdale compares
Full Michigan rankings →Painesdale's score of 82.8/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About Painesdale, MI
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Painesdale's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Houghton
Frequently asked questions
Is Painesdale, MI tap water safe to drink?
Painesdale's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #313 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in Painesdale's water?
3 violations are on record.
How is Painesdale'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 Painesdale?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Painesdale's water come from?
Painesdale's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,010 residents.
Is Painesdale's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Painesdale 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 Painesdale's water compare to other cities?
Painesdale ranks #313 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 40% of state cities) and #6763 out of 15744 cities nationally (57th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Painesdale's small water system affect quality?
Painesdale's system serves approximately 2,010 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.