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Is Grand Rapids Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 27, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Grand Rapids?

Yes, Grand Rapids's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Grand Rapids has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Grand Rapids's water utility, Grand Rapids, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Grand Rapids water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Grand Rapids Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Grand Rapids tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Grand Rapids's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Grand Rapids Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Grand Rapids for Grand Rapids in Michigan. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

Is there Lead in Grand Rapids Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Grand Rapids water system, Grand Rapids, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.00959 mg/L of lead in Grand Rapids water. This is 63.9% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Grand Rapids contained more lead.

While Grand Rapids water testing may have found 0.00959 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Grand Rapids Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Belmont Armory - near Grand Rapids with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Grand Rapids has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Grand Rapids Water - Frequently Asked Questions

DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people may seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/ Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800.426.4791.
IS MY WATER SAFE?
Yes. The City of Grand Rapids meets or exceeds all of the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). We are pleased to present the 2020 Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) as required by the SDWA. This report is designed to provide details about where your water comes from, what it contains and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. This report is a snapshot of last year's water quality. We are committed to providing you with information because we care about you and want you to be informed about the water you drink. Where does my drinking water come Lake Michigan, a surface water source, is the sole source of water treated for the Grand Rapids Water System. Source Water Assessment The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) completed a Source Water Assessment for the City of Grand Rapids water supply in 2003. This report found that our water supply has a moderately high susceptibility to contaminants. Source water contamination is not likely to occur if potential contaminants are properly used and managed. The Grand Rapids Water Treatment Plant routinely and continuously monitors the water for a variety of chemicals to ensure safe drinking water. The Grand Rapids Water System continues to be involved in and supports watershed protection efforts. This report is available. For a copy, please call our Customer Service at 311 or 616.456.3000. Additional Information for Lead If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Grand Rapids is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800.426.4791 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. The City of Grand Rapids Water System has a total of 80,443 service lines. There are 24,189 known lead or presumed lead service lines. Call Customer Service at 311 or 616.456.3000.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Call Customer Service at 311 or 616.456.3000.
HOW DO I CONTACT GRAND RAPIDS CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Grand Rapids water provider, Grand Rapids, please use the information below.
By Mail: City of Grand Rapids
1900 Oak Industrial Drive NE
GRAND RAPIDS, MI, 49505
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR GRAND RAPIDS
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Grand Rapids account to pay their Grand Rapids water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Grand Rapids bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Grand Rapids water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Grand Rapids water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP GRAND RAPIDS WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Grand Rapids means you will often need to put the water in your name with Grand Rapids. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Grand Rapids means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Grand Rapids. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

Is Grand Rapids Tap Water Safe to Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$2.5 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Grand Rapids tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 19% Very Low
  • Water Pollution 29% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 81% Very High
  • Water Quality 71% High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Grand Rapids, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Grand Rapids Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Grand Rapids's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

The City of Grand Rapids

Water System

Attention: This report will not be mailed to you. If you want a paper copy, please call our Customer Service at 311 or 616.456.3000.

Atención: Este reporte no será enviado por correo. Para tener una copia enviada a usted, por favor de llamar la linea de servicio al cliente al 311 o 616.456.3000.

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water supplies. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the United States EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800.426.4791.

Do I need to take special precautions?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people may seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/ Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800.426.4791.

Is my water safe?

Yes. The City of Grand Rapids meets or exceeds all of the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). We are pleased to present the 2020 Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) as required by the SDWA. This report is designed to provide details about where your water comes from, what it contains and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. This report is a snapshot of last year's water quality. We are committed to providing you with information because we care about you and want you to be informed about the water you drink.

Where does my drinking water come

from?

Lake Michigan, a surface water source, is the sole source of water treated for the Grand Rapids Water System.

Source Water Assessment

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) completed a Source Water Assessment for the City of Grand Rapids water supply in 2003. This report found that our water supply has a moderately high susceptibility to contaminants. Source water contamination is not likely to occur if potential contaminants are properly used and managed. The Grand Rapids Water Treatment Plant routinely and continuously monitors the water for a variety of chemicals to ensure safe drinking water. The Grand Rapids Water System continues to be involved in and supports watershed protection efforts.

This report is available. For a copy, please call our Customer Service at 311 or 616.456.3000.

Additional Information for Lead

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Grand Rapids is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you may wish to have your water tested.

Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800.426.4791 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

The City of Grand Rapids Water System has a total of 80,443 service lines. There are 24,189 known lead or presumed lead service lines.

How can I get involved?

Call Customer Service at 311 or 616.456.3000.

Why are there contaminants in my

drinking water?

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. The sources of drinking water, both tap water and bottled water, include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include all of the following:

Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

Radioactive contaminants, which can be

naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Take a Lake Michigan Filtration Plant

Tour!

We encourage you to tour our treatment plant located on Lake Michigan Drive between Holland and Grand Haven. You can take a walking tour of the facility to learn more about the people and processes that diligently safeguard your water supply. To schedule a tour, please call 311 or 616.456.3000.

For more information please contact:

City of Grand Rapids Customer Service 300 Monroe Ave NW

Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 311 or 616.456.3000 Email: water@grcity.us

To ensure tap water is safe to drink, the EPA has regulations that limit the amount of contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the calendar year of this report, unless otherwise noted. Although many more contaminants were tested, only those substances listed below were found in your water. All sources of drinking water contain some naturally occurring contaminants. At low levels, these substances are generally not harmful in our drinking water. Removing all contaminants would be extremely expensive and in most cases, would not provide increased protection of public health. A few naturally occurring minerals may actually improve the taste of drinking water and have nutritional value at low levels. The State allows us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. All of the data is representative of the water quality, but some are more than one year old. In this table, you may find terms and abbreviations that might not be familiar to you. To help you better understand these terms, we have provided the definitions.

 

MCLG

MCL,

 

 

Range

 

 

 

 

or

TT, or

Detected In

 

 

 

Sample

 

 

 

Low

 

High

 

 

Contaminants

MRDLG

MRDL

Your Water

 

Date

Violation

Typical Source

Disinfectants & Disinfection By-Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorine [as Cl2] (ppm)

4

4

1.02

ND

 

1.70

2020

No

Water additive used to control microbes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic Acids Group

NA

60

36

12.2

 

61.8

2020

No

By-product of drinking water

[HAA5] (ppb)

 

chlorination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Trihalomethanes

NA

80

56

29.9

 

89.8

2020

No

By-product of drinking water

[TTHMs] (ppb)

 

chlorination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inorganic Contaminants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge

Barium (ppm)

2

2

0.019

NA

 

NA

2018

No

from metal refineries; erosion of natural

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits; water

Fluoride (ppm)

4

4

0.51

0.28

 

0.64

2020

No

additive that promotes strong teeth;

 

discharge from fertilizer and aluminum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

factories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching

Nitrate [as Nitrogen] (ppm)

10

10

0.4

NA

 

NA

2019

No

from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorooctane sulfonic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firefighting foam; discharge from

NA

16

1.65

ND

 

2.34

2020

No

electroplating facilities; discharge and

acid [PFOS] (ppt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

waste from industrial facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorooctanoic acid

NA

8

0.52

ND

 

2.10

2020

No

Discharge and waste from industrial

[PFOA] (ppt)

 

facilities; stain-resistant treatments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium (ppm)

NA

NA

11

NA

 

NA

2020

No

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Contaminants

Information collected through the monitoring of these contaminants/chemicals will help to ensure that future decisions on drinking water standards are based on sound science.

Brominated Haloacetic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By-product of drinking water

Acids Group[HAA6Br]

 

NA

MNR

11.6

6.08

17.63

2019

No

 

chlorination

(ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic Acids Group

 

NA

MNR

41.47

19.22

77.73

2019

No

By-product of drinking water

[HAA9] (ppb)

 

chlorination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Naturally-occurring element; used in

Manganese (ppb)

 

NA

MNR

0.446

ND

0.446

2019

No

steel production, fertilizer, batteries and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fireworks; essential nutrient

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microbiological Contaminants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbidity (NTU)

 

NA

0.3

100%

NA

NA

2020

No

Soil runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100% of the samples were below the TT value of 0.3. A value less than 95% constitutes a TT violation. The highest single measurement was 0.110. Any measurement in excess of 1 is a violation unless otherwise approved by the state.

 

 

 

 

 

Range

 

# Samples

 

 

 

 

90th

 

 

 

Sample

Exceeding

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

Contaminants

MCLG

AL

Percentile

Low

 

Date

AL

Typical Source

Inorganic Contaminants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper [action level at

1.3

1.3

0

ND

 

0.1

2020

0

Corrosion of household plumbing

consumer taps] (ppm)

 

systems; erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead [action level at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead services lines, corrosion of

0

15

9

ND

 

13

2020

0

household plumbing including fittings

consumer taps] (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and fixtures; erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These 2020 sample results are from 51 homes selected as high risk for lead and copper contamination.

 

MCLG

 

Detected

 

Range

 

 

 

 

or

MCL, TT, or

In Your

Low

High

Sample

 

 

Contaminants

MRDLG

MRDL

Water

Date

Violation

Typical Source

Voluntary Monitoring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information collected through the monitoring of these contaminants/chemicals will help to ensure that future decisions on drinking water standards are based on sound science.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from

Arsenic (ppb)

0

10

ND

NA

NA

2020

No

orchards; runoff from glass and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

electronics production wastes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chromium-6 [hexavalent

NA

MNR

ND

NA

NA

2020

NR

Erosion of natural deposits; industrial

chromium] (ppb)

contaminant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cryptosporidium

0

TT

ND

NA

NA

2020

NR

Contaminated rivers and lakes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giardia lamblia

0

TT

ND

NA

NA

2020

NR

Contaminated rivers and lakes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits; discharge

Mercury [inorganic] (ppb)

2

2

ND

NA

NA

2020

No

from refineries and factories; runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from landfills; runoff from cropland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hexafluoropropylene oxide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discharge and waste from industrial

dimer acid [HFPO-DA]

NA

370

ND

NA

NA

2020

No

facilities utilizing the Gen X chemical

(ppt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

process

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorobutane sulfonic

NA

420

ND

NA

NA

2020

No

Discharge and waste from industrial

acid [PFBS] (ppt)

facilities; stain-resistant treatments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorohexane sulfonic

NA

51

ND

NA

NA

2020

No

Firefighting foam; discharge and waste

acid [PFHxS] (ppt)

from industrial facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorohexanoic acid

NA

400,000

ND

NA

NA

2020

No

Firefighting foam; discharge and waste

[PFHxA] (ppt)

from industrial facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorononanoic acid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discharge and waste from industrial

NA

6

ND

NA

NA

2020

No

facilities; breakdown of precursor

[PFNA] (ppt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Important Drinking Water

Definitions & Units

90th Percentile:

The minimum level of contamination found in the highest 10 percent of samples collected.

AL (Action Level):

The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal):

The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

MNR: Monitored Not Regulated

MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level):

The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary or control of microbial contaminants.

MRDLG (Maximum Residual

Disinfectant Level Goal):

The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfection to control microbial contaminants.

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.

NA: Not applicable

ND: Not detected

NR: Monitoring not required but recommended

ppm (parts per million): Number of milligrams of substance in one liter of water (mg/L)

ppb (parts per billion): Number of micrograms of substance in one liter of water (μg/L)

ppt (parts per trillion): Number of nanograms of substance in one liter of water (ng/L)

TT (Treatment Technique):

A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water

Note: The data table contains the highest annual test results for all required and voluntary monitoring of regulated substances. The Grand Rapids Water System monitors many regulated and unregulated substances more frequently than required and, as a consequence, these results are included in the table. In addition to the test results listed in the table, we analyzed the water for 108 different contaminants/chemicals in 2020; none of which were found at detectable levels.

Contaminants


Grand Rapids

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 256275
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Surface water
  • Total: 11

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Nitrate
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Barium
  • Chlorate
  • Chromium (total)
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Molybdenum
  • Strontium
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Grand Rapids Tap Water

The Grand Rapids tap water is safe to drink. However, there are some essential factors you need to be aware of before you make the decision to drink Grand Rapids tap water. The City of Grand Rapids has been getting great reviews from people for many years because they make sure their water is clean, clear, and safe to drink all the time. The first thing you want to know about the drinking water in Grand Rapids is that there isn’t anyone single water treatment plant that supplies all of the water for the city of Grand Rapids. Thus, many different treatment plants serve other areas of the city of Grand Rapids. These treatment plants use different methods and chemicals when cleaning your water.

You want to know this, so you don’t get the wrong impression if you were to walk into a store and look at the tap water on the shelf and then turn around and head for the bathroom because you assumed it was safe to drink. It is not safe to drink tap water unless you have been absolutely assured that it has been purified through a specific water purification system. Some of the things used to purify tap water in Grand Rapids include reverse osmosis, ion exchange, distillation, and ultraviolet light. Each of these different processes has its own set of benefits and disadvantages that you should research before deciding on the type of purification system that will work best for you. You also need to keep in mind that water treatment plants are not all the same, even though they use the same types of treatment methods.

Many of the information you find about water purification systems will tell you that the most expensive water purification system is the only one you really need. You need to find a system that can help eliminate the bacteria and toxic substances from your drinking water. If you research your options and find a plan that fits your needs the best, you will have the confidence to take that first positive step in improving your home’s drinking water quality.

Grand Rapids Drinking Water

If you lived in the West Michigan area and noticed a strange occurrence with your Grand Rapids drinking water, you are not alone. For more than a few decades, this area of the country has had water quality problems, resulting in some people getting cancer. This is the result of the water table running off the reservoir that powers our water treatment plant. If the water table is not maintained, this lake goes from bad to worse, and when it does, this type of cancer can spread from person to person very quickly.

There are solutions to the problem, and there are people who work hard to make sure you don’t lose any sleep over this type of issue. In fact, if you have a well-installed, then you shouldn’t have to worry about drinking polluted water. However, if you do have a well, you need to take a close look at how your drinking water is treated, and you need to make sure that it is not being poisoned or is safe for you and your family to consume.

You may be surprised to find out that your well water is just as healthy as drinking water from a publicly provided source. The only difference is that your healthy water will be much cleaner because it is handled much differently. Plus, it is delivered to you right from the reservoir, so it is nowhere near the treatment facility and the treatment plant. Now that you know this, all that remains is for you to take the time to have your well tested, and hopefully, you will come up clean.

Grand Rapids Water

Lake Michigan, a natural surface water supply, is the only reliable source of clean water for the Grand Rapids Water System; city water treatment for consumption and other uses is too expensive. There are two sources for the Grand Rapids’ water supply: the Kalahari Water Power Plant, brown and gray water plants. The greywater plants treat sewage water, and the brown water plants store rainwater in the reservoir. Both plants discharge their treated wastewater into the rivers, streams, lakes, and groundwater sources. The plants’ treated water is then further treated in municipal sewers to be used for domestic use.

To meet the demand for safe drinking water, several treatment plants are located in different parts of the Grand Rapids area. These plants need to monitor both the quality and quantity of the treated water coming out of the plant to ensure that it meets the drinking water quality standards regulations. Contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceutical drugs, and others that disrupt the ecosystem or our environment are removed from the source water. These chemicals eventually enter the fish and wildlife in the rivers and streams and cause contamination, disease, and death in them.

Regular testing is required by government authorities to ensure that the water quality is maintained. One way to test the quality is to install water quality testers. They can be used on any house, office, or building where people consume water or access the water system. The Grand Rapids Water System was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Therefore no treatment is necessary for it to function correctly. It is up to each individual to make sure that his family is protected from drinking water contaminants.

Grand Rapids Water System

Lake Michigan, a man-made lake surface water supply, is the only water source for the Grand Rapids Water System, serving more than 10 million people. In addition to serving as a reservoir for the city’s drinking water, it also serves as a source for the city’s outdoor water activities such as boating, swimming, and boating. Although the Grand Rapids Water System was designed with boating in mind, many other types of watercraft can take advantage of this resource. Depending upon how one sees it, there are literally hundreds of different types of watercraft that can take advantage of lake management services. However, with over a million and a half gallons of water being made available through the Grand Rapids water system each day, it is essential that everyone properly maintains their watercraft so that the water quality remains at acceptable levels.

An essential part of making sure that the Grand Rapids Water System is always functioning at its highest level is through testing. Each day, water samples are taken from various areas throughout the lake area to determine what naturally occurring and/or man-made contaminants may be present in the water. After testing is complete, the samples are returned to the lab, where experts can identify the impurities through ultraviolet or infrared technology. Once this information is gathered, it can be analyzed, and the needed corrective action can be taken.

Experts continually test for microbes, bacteria, fungi, and other organic or inorganic contaminants to protect the Grand Rapids Water System. These types of pollutants can grow at alarming rates and can cause many problems in the human body. They can also cause various environmental issues, including the growth of toxic mold or fungus on the city’s water infrastructure. For this reason, urban stormwater runoff must be examined and controlled through proper treatment to prevent harmful organisms and synthetic organic compounds from being distributed into the groundwater system. By using various purification methods, experts can protect both the natural habitat and the residents of the greater metropolitan area.

Grand Rapids Water Quality Report

A Grand Rapids water quality report will let you know if the water coming out of your tap meets the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. The information will also let you know what kind of problems may be occurring because of the poor quality of water. This is a critical report because it can help you find the best water filter for your home, business, or other consumption needs. If you are concerned about what is in your water, this report can help you find out.

This report comes from the DEQ and is used by all cities to test and compare their local drinking water quality. The testing is done through different stations all throughout the city. You can read it online or at your local library. You must become familiar with the methods used to test for the best water. This can help you decide what contaminants are causing your problems and which ones you can eliminate quickly.

There are so many contaminants in your drinking water in Grand Rapids. You can choose a filter for your home or business that will remove all of them. If you select an affordable filter, then you should be able to get the best water possible. Just make sure that it removes all of the contaminants in your water that cause problems for you.

Grand Rapids Water Treatment

If you are looking for a water treatment center in the area that can handle all of the municipal needs that you have, it is time that you looked into Grand Rapids Water Treatment. This treatment facility works to treat the water coming into the city of Grand Rapids and make sure that it is safe for the people that live in the area to use on their water systems. They test the water and make sure that it has no bacteria or harmful substances in it. They also have special filters that filter out these dangerous things before the water makes its way into homes.

The treatment that is done here is used to filter out any harmful chemicals or bacteria and filter out any sediment that could be in the water. That sediment can cause damage to your water system over some time. Over time water can build up in pipes and plumbing that will need to be replaced sooner than expected. There is also testing done that will let you know what the water’s PH level is as well. This way, the water you use in your home will be healthy for your consumption and not cause harm to your family or to the area you live in.

This water treatment center is one that not only helps to keep your water clean but also helps you to enjoy clean water for your use in your home as well. Since this is one of the best in the area, you can look forward to getting what you need whenever you need it. You will find that the staff members are always available to help out with any questions that you may have about your water. You can trust them to answer any of your questions as you are concerned about your family’s safety. The testing done at this water treatment center is done to make sure that the water coming into the area is clean and healthy for everyone to use in their water systems, so you won’t have to worry about it.

Drinking Water Standards in Grand Rapids

If you live in Grand Rapids, you already know that the drinking water you get is the best in the country. However, if you have children or are concerned about what might be in their water, you should take a more thorough approach to test and monitor your water. Many contaminants can be present in your tap water, and not all of them are harmful to your health. You may think that the only contaminant you have to worry about is the kind that causes stomachaches, but there are actually hundreds of other things that you should be aware of. The Environmental Protection Agency tries to keep track of all of the different chemicals in the water supply. Still, there are always new ones coming onto the market that are just as bad for your health as the ones that were removed from your system a few years ago.

As an example, it was found that there was a high level of prescription drugs in the drinking water in Grand Rapids that could be harming people. Another group of carcinogens was also found in a city water test that included heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium, lead, and mercury. While it is essential to monitor your health and make sure that you are safe from any potential danger, you do not want to rely on a machine to tell you that your water is safe when there are no testing machines available for your water in your home.

To ensure that your water is truly safe, there needs to be a method for checking samples for contaminants. This can be difficult, but several companies are experts at keeping track of levels of all kinds of chemicals and other dangerous ingredients in water. You can quickly pay these professionals a small fee for monthly or annual services to take care of the testing for you. This way, you can drink water in Grand Rapids that has been carefully tested and safe for you and your family. You will also save yourself a lot of time by knowing that your drinking water is just as clean as it can be.

Water Contaminants in Grand Rapids

If you are looking for a new water purification system in Grand Rapids, there are many different options available to you. If you’ve never considered water filtration before, then you may be wondering what the best options are and how they compare to your local drinking water treatment facility. Since Grand Rapids is a larger town than most, there are more treatment plants and manufacturing plants around the city that need to filter the water for people to drink. When looking for a water filtration system for your home, you will want to find one that can filter the water for all of these different sources. If you have trouble finding one, or your filtering options are limited, you may want to consider purchasing a bottled water dispenser instead.

Bottled water dispensers can be found almost anywhere and can save you money while still allowing you to drink safe tap water. Although you will still need to use some sort of filter when you are filtering this water yourself, at least you will have it available should you choose to make a stop at a community water treatment facility. The filters used by these facilities are specially designed to rid the water of contaminants that you can’t see with the naked eye. They can help you avoid harmful chemicals that are sometimes added to our water through runoff from landfills. If you feel that your water is too safe to drink, it is probably better to filter it yourself using one of these bottled water dispensers instead of drinking the treated water from the city’s treatment plant.

There are filters available for almost every appliance in your home, including refrigerators and dishwashers. While there are limits on the number of chemicals that can be added to your water through rain and runoff, you can keep those levels as low as possible. This is much easier to do in Grand Rapids, where a whole house water filtration system is considered the safest method of purifying the city’s water. By using a filter attached to your faucet or showerhead, you can ensure that your family is getting only clean water whenever they want it, making it a simple matter to protect your health and your family’s health.

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