Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Detroit?
Yes, tap water in Detroit is safe to drink and meets all EPA standards. Detroit's water system is separate from Flint's, Michigan's other city that experienced a well-known 2014–2016 lead crisis.
Water Source
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), one of the largest water systems in the U.S., supplies Detroit from Lake Huron and the Detroit River, treating it at multiple plants before distribution.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •No significant compliance concerns in Detroit's own supply
- •Some older neighborhoods have legacy lead service lines, addressed through an active city and state replacement program similar to other older Midwest and Northeast cities
How It Compares
It's worth distinguishing Detroit from Flint: Flint is a separate Michigan city about 70 miles away that switched water sources in 2014 and suffered a severe, well-publicized lead contamination crisis. Detroit's GLWA-supplied Great Lakes water was not affected by that crisis.
Tips
- •Detroit is not the same water system as Flint — a common point of confusion
- •GLWA and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department publish annual water quality reports
- •Legacy lead service line replacement is ongoing in older neighborhoods, as in many pre-1950s U.S. cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality