Is Ann Arbor tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Ann Arbor's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns including PFAS detected. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

64/100
Purity Score
4
Issues Found
8.5 GPG
Hardness
Detected
PFAS

4 Issues Detected in Ann Arbor

PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Detected

PFAS are man-made chemicals that do not break down and accumulate in the body.

PFAS details for Ann Arbor

Moderately Hard Water (8.5 GPG)

Hardness above 7 GPG can cause minor scale buildup.

Hardness data for Ann Arbor

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Ann Arbor

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.2 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Ann Arbor
Michigan

481,034,810,448,105 · Barton Pond Huron River

Ann Arbor, MI Water Quality Report

Elevated Risk Updated March 2026 122,000 residents
64
Purity Score

Health Insights

  • 1
    With a hardness of 8.5 GPG, Ann Arbor residents may notice white scale on faucets. Hard water increases maintenance costs.
  • 2
    PFAS have been identified in Ann Arbor's water at 2.1 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.
  • 3
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Ann Arbor's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

64 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Ann Arbor tap water is sourced from Barton Pond Huron River and treated by City of Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Water hardness is hard at 8.5 GPG which may cause scale buildup. Overall purity score: 64/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

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Ann Arbor Water FAQ

Is Ann Arbor MI tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Ann Arbor tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 64/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 2.1 ppt. An NSF-certified filter is strongly recommended. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Ann Arbor MI use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Ann Arbor uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.4 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Ann Arbor MI water and what is the TDS level?
Ann Arbor water hardness is 8.5 grains per gallon (hard) with a TDS of 290 ppm (fair). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.
Has PFAS been found in Ann Arbor MI drinking water?
Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Ann Arbor water at approximately 2.1 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.
What is the best water filter for Ann Arbor?
Based on Ann Arbor's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Ann Arbor: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • City of Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

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