Is St. Charles, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
84.8/100
waterverge.com St. Charles, MI — Water Quality Report
St. Charles's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 4,077 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 3.3 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 11 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about St. Charles's water
St. Charles ranks #252 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it mid-range 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.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is St. Charles, MI water safe to drink?
St. Charles's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 4,077 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for St. Charles
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into St. Charles's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (84.8/100).
Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4121). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3225). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for St. Charles's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
St. Charles's water system has 11 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Saginaw County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 St. Charles's water come from?
St. Charles's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 4,077 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Shiawassee River (river).
What St. Charles residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in St. Charles'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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
St. Charles'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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of St. Charles
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near St. Charles, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
DDP SPECIALTY ELECTRONIC MATERIALS US 9 LLC. (HIMS) HEMLOCK, MI48626 | — | — | 9.3 mi |
HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR OPERATIONS LLC HEMLOCK, MI48626 | — | — | 9.2 mi |
POREX TECHNOLOGIES CORP SAINT CHARLES, MI48655 | — | — | 3.3 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Saginaw County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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. | 3.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how St. Charles compares by contaminant
Explore where St. Charles ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where St. Charles's water comes from
St. Charles'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 4,077 people through 2 water systems.
Water bodies near St. Charles
St. Charles is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving St. Charles
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST. CHARLES, VILLAGE OF | MI0006260 | 2,054 | SWP |
| SWAN CREEK TOWNSHIP | MI0006502 | 2,023 | SWP |
How St. Charles compares
Full Michigan rankings →St. Charles's score of 84.8/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Michigan rankings →About St. Charles, MI
Wikipedia →St. Charles is a village in Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The village is located in the northwest corner of St. Charles Township with portions of the village located within Brant and Swan Creek townships. As of the 2020 census, St. Charles had a population of 1,992.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to St. Charles's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Saginaw
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Charles, MI tap water safe to drink?
St. Charles's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #252 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.
What contaminants are in St. Charles's water?
Lead was measured at 3.3 ppb (90th percentile). 11 violations are on record.
How is St. Charles'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 St. Charles?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does St. Charles's water come from?
St. Charles's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 4,077 residents.
How does St. Charles's water compare to other cities?
St. Charles ranks #252 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 52% of state cities) and #5665 out of 15744 cities nationally (64th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.