WaterVerge

Is Reese, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Reese ranks. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MI0000798
Overall Score
96 / 100
Violations
None active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#10 of 520 in Michigan Top 2% nationally
Local Government
Limited data available
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
96/100
waterverge.com
A+ 96/100

Reese, MI — Water Quality Report

Reese's drinking water received a grade of A+ (96 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,024 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 2.7 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

No violations are on record for this water system.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Reese's water

Reese ranks #10 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it one of the best 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, Reese may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Reese has a clean compliance record with no violations on file, reflecting strong operational practices.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
96 out of 100 Grade A+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
45/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 2.7 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Reese, MI water safe to drink?

Generally Safe

Based on EPA testing data, Reese's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (96/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,024 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

None
Violations
2.7 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Reese

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Reese's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (96/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3225). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

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 Reese's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.7 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Flood & environmental risk

Tuscola County has experienced 5 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 Cass River.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3225
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-774
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-744

Where does Reese's water come from?

Reese's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,024 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Cass River (river).

What Reese residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Reese'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
2.7 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 18% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

Clean record
No violations found. This system has maintained compliance with EPA standards.
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Reese

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Reese, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVE CORP
Transportation Equipment · PCM US STEERING HOLDING LLC
SAGINAW, MI48601
9.9 mi
PLASTATECH ENGINEERING LTD
Textiles · HOLCIM PARTICIPATIONS (US) INC
SAGINAW, MI48601
9.4 mi
SAFETY-KLEEN SYSTEMS SAGINAW (SAG)
Hazardous Waste · CLEAN HARBORS INC
SAGINAW, MI48601
9.9 mi
STAR OF THE WEST MILLING CO
Food · STAR OF THE WEST MILLING CO
FRANKENMUTH, MI48734
8.7 mi
ADVANCED MICRONUTRIENT PRODUCTS INC
Chemicals · NA
REESE, MI48757
3.2 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Tuscola County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3225
Sep 1986
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #774
Sep 1985
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #744
Apr 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #371
Dec 1972
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #363

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.7 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 2.7 ppb from 2004 (0.0 ppb) to 2023 (2.7 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
3,024
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Reese's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Reese's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

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 3,024 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Reese

Reese is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Cass River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Reese

System Name PWSID Population Source
BLUMFIELD-REESE WATER AUTH. MI0000798 3,024 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Reese compares

Full Michigan rankings →

Reese's score of 96/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Reese (this city)
96
Detroit
84.1
Ann Arbor
51.5
Lansing
57.3
Michigan avg
70
City Profile

About Reese, MI

Wikipedia →

Reese is a village in Tuscola and Saginaw counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located almost entirely in Tuscola County's Denmark Township, the village includes only a tiny portion of Blumfield Township in Saginaw County. As of the 2020 census, Reese had a population of 1,261.

Economic Profile
$81,583
Median Income
$176,380
Median Home Value
$789/mo
Median Rent
11.7%
Unemployment
Community
48.3
Median Age
371
People / sq mi
24.2%
College Educated
78.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Reese, MI tap water safe to drink?

Reese's water quality earned a grade of A+ (96/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #10 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.

What contaminants are in Reese's water?

Lead was measured at 2.7 ppb (90th percentile). No violations on record.

How is Reese'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 Reese?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Reese's water come from?

Reese's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,024 residents.

How does Reese's water compare to other cities?

Reese ranks #10 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 98% of state cities) and #242 out of 15744 cities nationally (99th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Reese's small water system affect quality?

Reese's system serves approximately 3,024 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 maintained a clean compliance record.