Tap Water Results

Is East Lansing, MI tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for City of East Lansing.

3 public water systems serve parts of East Lansing. The largest, City of East Lansing, serves 33,000 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of East Lansing

33,000 people · Purchased groundwater · EPA ID MI0001990

Buys treated water from Lansing Board of Water & Light, East Lansing Meridian Water Authority.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Across Michigan, 5 of 311 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 26 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Michigan results.

East Lansing homes and lead pipes

59%
of homes built before 1980 (Michigan 62%, US 50%)
15%
built before 1950 (Michigan 22%)
62%
of households rent (Michigan 27%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for East Lansing city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Which system serves your ZIP code

Based on the ZIP codes each system reported serving. Boundaries don't follow ZIP lines exactly, so your water bill is the final word.

SystemZIP codes in East Lansing
City of East Lansing
33,000 people
48823, 48825
Michigan State University Water System
12,793 people
48824

Other water systems serving East Lansing

  • Meridian Township Water System
    25,600 people · Purchased groundwater · Michigan · reported ZIPs here
    Lithium above screening level
  • Michigan State University Water System
    12,793 people · Groundwater · Michigan · reported ZIPs here
    Radium (combined 226/228) violationAlso: Lithium above screening level

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Meridian charter 4 mi
Meridian Township Water System
Meridian Township Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Lansing 5 mi
Lansing Board of Water & Light
Lansing Board of Water & LightNone above limits0 ppb
Delta charter 9 mi
Charter Township of Delta Water System
Charter Township of Delta Water SystemNone above limits1.2 ppb
Jackson 35 mi
Jackson Water System
Jackson Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Flint charter 40 mi
Genesee County Water System
Genesee County Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Flint 44 mi
City of Flint
City of FlintNone above limits3 ppb

Questions

Is East Lansing tap water safe to drink?

City of East Lansing has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in East Lansing, MI?

3 public water systems serve parts of East Lansing. The largest is City of East Lansing (33,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does East Lansing tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of East Lansing had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do East Lansing homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 59% of East Lansing homes as built before 1980 (Michigan: 62%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. City of East Lansing's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.