Tap Water Quality Report

Tap water quality in Flint, Michigan

Served by City of Flint Water System. 81,000 residents.

Average score 73/100
Utilities 1
Population 81,000
Quick answer

Tap water in Flint, Michigan receives a grade of C (73/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by City of Flint Water System. The most significant water quality concerns are: Lead detected in source water; Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database, and Flint's published Consumer Confidence Report.

Data sources for this grade: utilities.csv ⓘ How did we get this rating?

What's in Flint's tap water

Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utility serving Flint.

Lead detected in source water

Severe concern

Lead detected at 4.2 ppb. EWG considers no level of lead safe; EPA's action level is 15 ppb.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) detected at 28.4 ppb, 284x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.

Recommended filters for Flint

Filters matched to the specific contaminants in Flint's water supply.

NSF/ANSI 53 certified for lead removal

$80-$750

NSF 53 is the gold standard certification for lead removal. Required when lead is a documented concern.

Clearly Filtered Pitcher Filter
$80-$95 NSF 42, 53, 401, P473
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Aquasana AQ-5300 Under-Sink Filter
$180-$240 NSF 42, 53, 401
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis
$449-$599 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO
$600-$750 NSF 58, 372
View on retailer →

Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.

All contaminants detected in Flint's tap water

Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →

Sample test dates: Water samples were collected in 2024. Test dates per contaminant are shown in the table below.

Contaminant Detected EWG
US health-based
EPA
US legal
EU DWD
Europe
WHO
global
CA PHG
strictest US
Tested
sample year
Status
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
28.4 ppb 0.1 60 60 2022 284× over
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
46.0 ppb 0.6 80 100 2023 77× over
Lead
Heavy metal
4.89 ppb 0 15 5 10 0.2 2022
Contaminant Detected (2023) EWG EPA EU DWD WHO CA PHG Status
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
46.0 ppb 0.6 80 100 77× over
Contaminant Detected (2022) EWG EPA EU DWD WHO CA PHG Status
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
28.4 ppb 0.1 60 60 284× over
Lead
Heavy metal
4.89 ppb 0 15 5 10 0.2

All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.

Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.

Treatment plant contact info

For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from City of Flint Water System.

Treatment Plant

FacilityFlint Water Treatment Plant
Location4500 N. Dort Hwy, Flint, MI 48505
Operator certificationF-1 (Michigan EGLE)
Treatment capacity32 million gallons/day

ZIP codes served

Flint's public water systems serve the following ZIP codes: