Is Saginaw, MI tap water safe?

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

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for City of Saginaw. 1 PFAS were detected below the limits.

3 public water systems serve parts of Saginaw. The largest, City of Saginaw, serves 44,058 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Saginaw

44,058 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID MI0005850

Buys treated water from Saginaw-Midland Water Supply.

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not 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: 9 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.

Saginaw homes and lead pipes

90%

of homes built before 1980 (Michigan 62%, US 50%)

51%

built before 1950 (Michigan 22%)

40%

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 Saginaw city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Saginaw

Saginaw Charter Township Water System
40,840 people · Purchased surface water · Michigan · reported ZIPs here
No PFAS above limits
City of Zilwaukee
1,534 people · Purchased surface water · Michigan · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Saginaw charter 4 mi Saginaw Charter Township Water System	Saginaw Charter Township Water System	None above limits	1.6 ppb
Bay City 12 mi City of Bay City	City of Bay City	None above limits	8 ppb
Midland 20 mi City of Midland	City of Midland	None above limits	2.48 ppb
Flint charter 30 mi Genesee County Water System	Genesee County Water System	None above limits	0 ppb
Flint 30 mi City of Flint	City of Flint	None above limits	3 ppb
Burton 33 mi City of Burton	City of Burton	None above limits	0 ppb

Saginaw ZIP codes (3)

48601
48602
48607

Questions

Is Saginaw tap water safe to drink?

City of Saginaw 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 Saginaw, MI?

3 public water systems serve parts of Saginaw. The largest is City of Saginaw (44,058 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Saginaw tap water have PFAS?

City of Saginaw had 1 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Saginaw homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 90% of Saginaw 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 Saginaw'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.