Ann Arbor, MI Water Quality Report
Is Ann Arbor tap water safe? See PFAS and lead contamination levels for Ann Arbor, Michigan. Compare to EPA limits and get filter recommendations.
Quick Answers
Is Ann Arbor, MI tap water safe to drink? Ann Arbor, MI tap water meets most federal EPA limits, but PFAS compounds have been detected at an average of 4.3 ppt across 5 compounds. A certified pitcher filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended for sensitive populations.
What contaminants are in Ann Arbor, MI water? Top PFAS compounds detected in Ann Arbor water: PFOS (43 ppt), PFBA (0.01 ppt), PFHxA (0 ppt). See the full table for all monitored contaminants and comparison to EPA limits.
What filter should I use in Ann Arbor, MI? An NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system is the strongest option, removing 90%+ of PFAS along with lead and arsenic. For renters or smaller households in Ann Arbor, an NSF-53 certified pitcher (Clearly Filtered, ZeroWater, LifeStraw) is a practical alternative. Ordinary Brita cartridges are not certified for PFAS.
Ann Arbor, MI Water Quality Summary
EPA testing has detected PFAS "forever chemicals" in Ann Arbor, MI drinking water. Recent monitoring found a peak level of 43 ppt across 2 water systems, representing an average of 4.3 ppt across 5 detected compounds.
Contamination Level: MODERATE – Moderate contamination – PFAS detected at meaningful levels; filtration recommended.
Top Detected Compounds
- PFOS: 43 ppt (exceeds EPA 4 ppt limit for PFOA/PFOS)
- PFBA: 0.01 ppt
- PFHxA: 0 ppt
- PFHpA: 0 ppt
- PFPeA: 0 ppt
Lead in Ann Arbor, MI Water
EPA Lead and Copper Rule testing has recorded 37 lead samples for Ann Arbor water systems, with a 90th-percentile high of 0.01075 mg/L (within the EPA 0.015 mg/L action level). There is no safe level of lead for children; if your home was built before 1986, a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead-removal filter is recommended.
EPA Violations in Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor public water systems have 1 health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violation on record, including Lead & Copper Rule. Health-based violations mean a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
About the Data
The numbers on this page are drawn from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), which covers 66,000+ public water systems nationwide, including those serving Ann Arbor, MI's approximately 123,851 residents.
ZIP Codes Served
What Ann Arbor, Michigan Residents Should Do
- Enter your exact ZIP code at knowyourexposure.com for address-level data
- Install an NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis filter (removes 94-99% of PFAS)
- If you're in a high-exposure group (pregnant, young children), consider a PFAS home test kit
- Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) your Michigan utility publishes annually