WaterVerge

Is White Pigeon, MI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MI0007070
Overall Score
88.4 / 100
Violations
3 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#157 of 520 in Michigan Top 22% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
88.4/100
waterverge.com
A- 88.4/100

White Pigeon, MI — Water Quality Report

White Pigeon's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,640 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.3 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 10 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about White Pigeon's water

White Pigeon ranks #157 out of 520 cities in Michigan for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

White Pigeon 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, White Pigeon may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
88.4 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
41.4/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.3 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is White Pigeon, MI water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

White Pigeon's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (88.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,640 residents using groundwater (wells).

3
Active Violations
1.3 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for White Pigeon

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into White Pigeon's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.4/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for White Pigeon's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.3 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

White Pigeon's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMONMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2020 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Sep 2018 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Feb 2016 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jan 2016 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Where does White Pigeon's water come from?

White Pigeon's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,640 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Portage River (river), St. Joseph River (river), Mill Creek (river), Pigeon River (river).

What White Pigeon residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in White Pigeon's water.

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.

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
1.3 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 9% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

10
Total violations
6
Health-based
3
Active / unresolved
Jul 2023
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

10 Total
3 Active
6 Health-based
7 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
6
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Revised Total Coliform Rule
1
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Sep 2018 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Sep 2018
Feb 2016 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Feb 2016
Jan 2016 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jan 2016
Jul 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2015
Jul 2014 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2014
Nov 2007 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Nov 2007
Jun 2007 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2007
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of White Pigeon

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 24,508 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
MIDDLEBURY CHEESE CO
Food · MMPA
MIDDLEBURY, IN46540
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)24,5088.3 mi
OX ENGINEERED PRODUCTS INC
Paper · OX PAPERBOARD LLC
CONSTANTINE, MI49042
3.1 mi
MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOC
Food · MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOC
CONSTANTINE, MI49042
3.4 mi
METAL TECHNOLOGIES INC THREE RIVERS GRAY IRON
Primary Metals · METAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
THREE RIVERS, MI49093
10.0 mi
AQUATIC CO
Plastics and Rubber · AMERICAN BATH GROUP LLC
THREE RIVERS, MI49093
9.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.3 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 decreased by 0.4 ppb from 2022 (1.7 ppb) to 2023 (1.3 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how White Pigeon compares by contaminant

Explore where White Pigeon ranks among all Michigan cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,640
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where White Pigeon's water comes from

Groundwater

White Pigeon'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 1,640 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near White Pigeon

White Pigeon is located near 4 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Portage River
river
St. Joseph River
river
Mill Creek
river
Pigeon River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving White Pigeon

System Name PWSID Population Source
WHITE PIGEON MI0007070 1,640 GW
Regional Comparison

How White Pigeon compares

Full Michigan rankings →

White Pigeon's score of 88.4/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Michigan cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

White Pigeon (this city)
88.4
Detroit
84.1
Ann Arbor
51.5
Lansing
57.3
Michigan avg
70
City Profile

About White Pigeon, MI

Wikipedia →

White Pigeon is a village in St. Joseph County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,718 at the 2020 census. The village is located within White Pigeon Township. Its also located along Michigan's border with Indiana.

Economic Profile
$46,750
Median Income
$128,551
Median Home Value
$761/mo
Median Rent
6.4%
Unemployment
Community
39.3
Median Age
423
People / sq mi
11.3%
College Educated
61.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is White Pigeon, MI tap water safe to drink?

White Pigeon's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #157 out of 520 cities tested in Michigan.

What contaminants are in White Pigeon's water?

Lead was measured at 1.3 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.

How is White Pigeon'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 White Pigeon?

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

Where does White Pigeon's water come from?

White Pigeon's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,640 residents.

What health violations has White Pigeon's water system had?

White Pigeon has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.

Is White Pigeon's groundwater at risk of contamination?

White Pigeon 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 White Pigeon's water compare to other cities?

White Pigeon ranks #157 out of 520 cities in Michigan (better than 70% of state cities) and #3469 out of 15744 cities nationally (78th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does White Pigeon's small water system affect quality?

White Pigeon's system serves approximately 1,640 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.