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Community Water System · PWS MI0000730

Birmingham

Birmingham, Michigan 48009 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 20,472 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

20,472
People served
20
EPA violations
7
Health-based
1 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 20 drinking-water violations at Birmingham, 35% of them health-based - below the Michigan per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound.

20
Total EPA violations on record
35%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
20,472
People served by this system
1
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Birmingham

Birmingham is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 20,472 residents in Birmingham, Michigan (Oakland County) through 8,484 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 20 total violations for this system , of which 7 (35%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 5 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2024.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Lead and Copper Rule, recorded in 7 violations (TT, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 1 PFAS compound was detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 5.4 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Michigan, EPA tracks 10,959 public water systems serving 9,098,093 people, with 255,201 cumulative violations and 31,467 health-based violations on record. About 86% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 23.3 violations. Statewide, 87 of 318 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (27.4%).

Birmingham's 20 violations sit below the Michigan average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

1 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
20,472
Total Violations
20
Health-Based Violations
7
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
8,484
County
Oakland
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
0
Monitoring Violations
5
Treatment Tech Violations
7

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Lead and Copper Rule TT 7 2023
Lead and Copper Rule MR 5 2024
Public Notice Other 4 2024
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 3 2020

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 1 of 116 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFUnA 8/9/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/9/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/9/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 8/9/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/9/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/9/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 8/9/2023 5.40 ppt 5.00 ppt Detected
PFEESA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 8/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 8/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 5/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 5/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 5/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 5/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 5/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 5/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 5/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 5/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 5/9/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 5/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 5/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 5/9/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 5/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 5/9/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 5/9/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 5/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 5/9/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 5/9/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 5/9/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 5/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 5/9/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Birmingham.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID MI0000730 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Michigan Drinking Water Authority

Michigan EGLE, Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Birmingham under EPA-delegated authority.

Open MI regulator portal

Source: Michigan EGLE, Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2024 Lead and Copper Rule MR 5 SDWIS / MI0000730 / 5000
2024 Public Notice Other 4 SDWIS / MI0000730 / 7500
2023 Lead and Copper Rule TT 7 SDWIS / MI0000730 / 5000
2020 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 3 SDWIS / MI0000730 / 7000

How Birmingham Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Birmingham Michigan avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 20 23.3 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 7 2.9 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 1 compound 27.4% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 20,472 830 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 10,959 regulated public water systems in Michigan.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Birmingham water safe to drink? ▼
Birmingham (PWS ID: MI0000730) has 20 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 1 PFAS compound found. This system serves 20,472 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Birmingham serve? ▼
Birmingham serves 20,472 people in Birmingham, Michigan. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 8,484 service connections.
What type of violations does Birmingham have? ▼
Birmingham has 20 total violations: 7 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 5 monitoring/reporting violations, and 7 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Birmingham water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound in Birmingham's water supply: PFBA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Birmingham use? ▼
Birmingham uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.