States › Michigan › Marquette County

Marquette County, MI Water Quality

Water quality data for 15 public water systems serving Marquette County, Michigan — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 15 water systems · 20 cities
✅
Excellent — All Systems Performing Well

Water quality across the county is outstanding with minimal violations and very low lead levels.

A

Marquette County Earns a A

Marquette County: 20 communities across 15 water systems. 95.0% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 2.00 ppb
  • 14 communities with a lead detection, 2 reporting none detected
  • 0 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 0 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 95.0% of communities have no open violations
2 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
15
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
95%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • K. I. Sawyer
    Not reported
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Ishpeming
    2.90 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Forsyth
    Not reported
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • West Branch
    Not reported
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Republic
    1.30 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Marquette charter
    1.30 ppb
    1 violation currently open
    C
  • Richmond
    5.00 ppb
    4 health-based violations since 2015
    B
  • Ely
    5.30 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    B
  • Ishpeming
    3.40 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    A
  • Negaunee
    1.90 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    A
County Lead Level — Median 2 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 2 ppb — 13.3% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
11
5 – 10 ppb
3
No Data
6

All Cities in Marquette County

Marquette 2.00 ppb A
Ishpeming 3.40 ppb A
Negaunee 1.90 ppb A
K. I. Sawyer Not reported B
Ishpeming 2.90 ppb B
Forsyth Not reported B
Marquette charter 1.30 ppb C
West Branch Not reported B
Negaunee 6.00 ppb B
Republic 1.30 ppb B
Richmond 5.00 ppb B
Chocolay charter 1.00 ppb B
Harvey 1.00 ppb B
Ely 5.30 ppb B
Tilden 3.40 ppb A
Powell Not reported B
Champion 1.20 ppb B
Skandia Not detected B
Wells Not detected B
Sands 2.00 ppb A
Showing 20 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Marquette County Drinking Water

Marquette County is served by 15 water systems covering 20 communities. 95% have no open violations.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 14 recorded a detection, with a median of 2.00 ppb — 13% of the federal action level. 2 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

No community here has PFAS above the federal limit on record. State inspectors recorded no significant deficiencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marquette County tap water safe to drink?▼
95% of communities have no open violation. No community has PFAS above the federal limit on record.
What is the lead level in Marquette County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 2.00 ppb, 13% of the 15 ppb action level. 2 reported none detected and 4 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Marquette County?▼
15 community water systems serve 20 communities here.
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