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Water Quality Report · Updated October 07, 2026

GRAND RAPIDS

Serving 306,901 residents in GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan .

National rank 53th percentile
Michigan rank 13th percentile
Data confidence Medium
Quick answer

GRAND RAPIDS delivers tap water graded C (71/100) 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.

Data sources for this grade: utilities.csv EWG Tap Water Database ⓘ How did we get this rating?
306,901
People served
1
City served
13
Contaminants detected
6
Above health guidelines

Is GRAND RAPIDS tap water safe to drink?

GRAND RAPIDS delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (71/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.

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.

EPA compliance record

Official U.S. EPA records for GRAND RAPIDS (system ID MI0002790) for the last 3 years. Checked 2026-10-07.

No EPA violations in the last 3 years.
0 of 12quarters with a violation
Nolead above EPA action level
08/08/2025last state inspection

Source: U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), from the Safe Drinking Water Information System. See EPA's full report.

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 concern

Perfluorooctane 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 concern

Haloacetic 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 concern

Total 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 concern

Haloacetic 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.

Recommended water filters for GRAND RAPIDS

Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.

Filter certified for PFOA/PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58)

$180-$750

Reverse osmosis and some carbon block filters reduce PFAS. Look for certification to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFOA/PFOS.

AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis
$449-$599 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, 372
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Aquasana AQ-5300 Under-Sink Filter
$180-$240 NSF 42, 53, 401, 372
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum
$429-$549 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO
$600-$750 NSF 42, 53, 58, 372
View on retailer →

Carbon filter certified for VOCs (NSF/ANSI 53)

$180-$599

Activated carbon is effective for disinfection byproducts. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 VOC reduction.

Aquasana AQ-5300 Under-Sink Filter
$180-$240 NSF 42, 53, 401, 372
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis
$449-$599 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, 372
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum
$429-$549 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon

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 71/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →

Health Guideline Performance
30 / 40
Legal Compliance
20 / 20
High-Risk Contaminants
4 / 20
Compliance History
10 / 10
Source Water Vulnerability
7 / 10

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.

About this water system

Public Water System ID
MI0002790
Owner type
Local government
Source water
Surface water
Service connections
81,816
Service area
GRAND RAPIDS, Kent County, Michigan