Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
GRAND RAPIDS
GRAND RAPIDS delivers tap water graded D (60/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 306,901 residents in GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan using surface water. The most significant water quality concerns are: PFAS contamination; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 616-456-4055.
Is GRAND RAPIDS tap water safe to drink?
GRAND RAPIDS delivers tap water that earns a grade of D (60/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — a below-average rating, with multiple concerns including pfas contamination.
The utility serves 306,901 residents in GRAND RAPIDS, drawing from surface water.
Public testing data identifies 6 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Chromium (hexavalent), Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
Quick actions for GRAND RAPIDS residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for GRAND RAPIDS.
PFAS contamination
Severe concernPerfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) detected. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer and immune effects with no known safe exposure threshold.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 41.5 ppb, 691x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 51.2 ppb, 341x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 30.1 ppb, 301x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Contact GRAND RAPIDS
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Treatment Plant
Recommended water filters for GRAND RAPIDS
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Reverse Osmosis or NSF P473 certified carbon
$80-$750Activated carbon and RO are the only technologies proven to remove PFAS at certified levels.
Carbon block (NSF/ANSI 42 + 53)
$40-$750Activated carbon is highly effective for disinfection byproducts like TTHM and HAA5.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 60/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
41.5 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 691× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
51.2 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 341× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
30.1 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 301× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.211 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 11× over |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) PFAS |
0.94 ppt | 0.3 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 1 | — | 3.1× over |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) PFAS |
0.231 ppt | 0.09 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 0.007 | — | 2.6× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
52.3 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum Other |
0.55 ppb | 40.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.28 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) PFAS |
10.8 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
0.112 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.123 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.637 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
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 (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
GRAND RAPIDS service area
This water system serves 1 community in Kent County, Michigan. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for GRAND RAPIDS water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.