Copper Contamination

Copper in Michigan Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

100%

% Exceeds Limit

16.422 mg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

351

Health Violations

Analysis

Copper in Michigan: what the data shows

Michigan has 92 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 16.422 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 92 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level

Michigan

100%

92 of 92 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

3953 of 3953 cities

City Map

Copper data across Michigan

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by copper level in Michigan

Highest Copper levels (mg/L)

All Cities

All Michigan cities ranked by copper level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Rockford	468.000 mg/L	Yes	6	C
2	Sparta	259.000 mg/L	Yes	3	B+
3	Traverse City	155.000 mg/L	Yes	12	D+
4	Caspian	140.000 mg/L	Yes	15	B
5	Sault Ste. Marie	130.000 mg/L	Yes	2	B-
6	Birmingham	90.000 mg/L	Yes	17	F
7	Hartford	89.000 mg/L	Yes	7	B+
8	Farmington Hills	20.000 mg/L	Yes	86	F
9	Alpena	3.900 mg/L	Yes	14	C-
10	Sebring	3.860 mg/L	Yes	33	C
11	Owosso	3.770 mg/L	Yes	15	C+
12	Waterford	3.730 mg/L	Yes	11	B
13	Southfield	3.100 mg/L	Yes	40	F
14	Lapeer	3.080 mg/L	Yes	22	F
15	Portland	3.080 mg/L	Yes	3	C+
16	Chassell	2.976 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
17	New Hudson	2.900 mg/L	Yes	1	B
18	Ironwood	2.810 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
19	Petersburg	2.620 mg/L	Yes	9	B+
20	Mount Pleasant	2.602 mg/L	Yes	1	B
21	Petoskey	2.570 mg/L	Yes	5	B-
22	Croswell	2.400 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
23	Central Lake	2.360 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
24	Coopersville	2.350 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
25	Oxford	2.350 mg/L	Yes	19	B
26	Lansing	2.260 mg/L	Yes	13	C-
27	Barnegat Twp.-1533	2.260 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
28	Perry	2.230 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
29	West Bloomfield	2.100 mg/L	Yes	21	F
30	Harrisville	1.995 mg/L	Yes	1	C+
31	Northville	1.940 mg/L	Yes	3	B+
32	Manistique	1.930 mg/L	Yes	7	A-
33	Okemos	1.900 mg/L	Yes	10	B-
34	Harbor Springs	1.900 mg/L	Yes	27	D
35	Clare	1.900 mg/L	Yes	0	A
36	Evart	1.899 mg/L	Yes	7	C+
37	Beaverton	1.890 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
38	Carson City	1.876 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
39	Nashville	1.820 mg/L	Yes	6	B
40	Forestville	1.810 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
41	Dexter	1.800 mg/L	Yes	0	A
42	Bellaire	1.800 mg/L	Yes	8	B
43	Marcellus	1.780 mg/L	Yes	0	B
44	Negaunee	1.764 mg/L	Yes	3	C+
45	Keego Harbor	1.761 mg/L	Yes	13	D
46	Chelsea	1.738 mg/L	Yes	10	B
47	Adrian	1.720 mg/L	Yes	46	F
48	Crystal Falls	1.720 mg/L	Yes	7	B
49	Mamakating (T)	1.700 mg/L	Yes	3	B
50	Mamakating (T)	1.700 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
51	Thompsonville	1.675 mg/L	Yes	9	B
52	Buchanan	1.660 mg/L	Yes	6	B+
53	Tampa	1.650 mg/L	Yes	5	A-
54	Springport	1.630 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
55	Coldwater	1.600 mg/L	Yes	27	F
56	Grand Ledge	1.600 mg/L	Yes	2	A-
57	Caledonia	1.600 mg/L	Yes	2	B-
58	Burr Oak	1.600 mg/L	Yes	0	B-
59	Saugatuck	1.570 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
60	Frankfort	1.570 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
61	Bessemer	1.550 mg/L	Yes	2	B
62	Ishpeming	1.548 mg/L	Yes	17	B
63	Rogers City	1.530 mg/L	Yes	2	A
64	West Olive	1.520 mg/L	Yes	0	B
65	East Lansing	1.510 mg/L	Yes	12	F
66	Suttons Bay	1.500 mg/L	Yes	4	B+
67	Leslie	1.500 mg/L	Yes	2	B
68	Stockbridge	1.500 mg/L	Yes	0	B
69	White Lake	1.480 mg/L	Yes	1	B-
70	Hastings	1.470 mg/L	Yes	5	B-
71	Eaton Rapids	1.460 mg/L	Yes	3	B-
72	Kingsley	1.460 mg/L	Yes	2	B-
73	Dover	1.450 mg/L	Yes	17	B
74	Caseville	1.435 mg/L	Yes	3	B
75	Mancelona	1.425 mg/L	Yes	3	B+
76	Hillman	1.420 mg/L	Yes	2	A-
77	Grand Blanc	1.400 mg/L	Yes	26	F
78	South Lyon	1.400 mg/L	Yes	1	B
79	Charlotte	1.400 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
80	Plainwell	1.400 mg/L	Yes	8	B-
81	Clinton	1.400 mg/L	Yes	5	C
82	East Jordan	1.400 mg/L	Yes	7	A-
83	Standish	1.400 mg/L	Yes	3	C-
84	Fowler	1.400 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
85	Mendon	1.400 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
86	Vermontville	1.400 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
87	Mason	1.390 mg/L	Yes	3	B+
88	Athens	1.390 mg/L	Yes	2	A-
89	Freeland	1.375 mg/L	Yes	26	F
90	Battle Creek	1.370 mg/L	Yes	15	F
91	Brighton	1.350 mg/L	Yes	25	F
92	Albion	1.350 mg/L	Yes	6	B

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about copper in Michigan

Is copper in Michigan drinking water safe?

92 cities in Michigan exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 16.422 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.

What causes high copper levels in Michigan tap water?

Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.

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