{"dataset":{"name":"U.S. Drinking Water Quality — Contaminant Measurements","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","homepage":"https://www.thewatermap.com"},"meta":{"generatedAt":"2026-05-25T20:04:50.035Z"},"system":{"slug":"metro__205__sterling-heights","name":"Sterling Heights","state":"MI","year":2025,"url":"https://www.thewatermap.com/water/mi/sterling-heights/2025","apiUrl":"https://www.thewatermap.com/api/water/mi/sterling-heights/2025","markdownUrl":"https://www.thewatermap.com/water/mi/sterling-heights/2025/llms.txt","coordinates":{"latitude":42.5803122,"longitude":-83.0302033},"contaminantsMeasured":9,"contaminantsWithFederalLimit":8,"contaminantsAtOrAboveLimit":0,"contaminantsApproachingLimit":0,"source":{"type":"Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)","description":"Figures are transcribed from the water utility's own annual Consumer Confidence Report, cross-checked by a second model, and approved by a person before publishing."},"families":[{"family":"disinfectant","familyLabel":"Disinfectants","contaminants":[{"analyteId":"chlorine","name":"Chlorine","family":"disinfectant","familyLabel":"Disinfectants","casrn":null,"whatItIs":"A disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses.","whyItMatters":"Effective and necessary, but high residual levels can cause taste and odor issues; the EPA caps the residual disinfectant level.","measured":{"value":1.02,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"1.02","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"1.02"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MRDLG","value":4,"units":"mg/L","enforceable":false},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":1.07,"low":0.81,"high":1.07,"kind":"range","display":"0.81–1.07","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"0.81-1.07"},{"value":1.02,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"1.02","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"1.02"}]}]},{"family":"disinfection_byproduct","familyLabel":"Disinfection byproducts","contaminants":[{"analyteId":"haa5","name":"HAA5","family":"disinfection_byproduct","familyLabel":"Disinfection byproducts","casrn":null,"whatItIs":"Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter.","whyItMatters":"Long-term exposure above the federal limit is associated with an increased cancer risk.","measured":{"value":17,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"17","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"17"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCL","value":60,"units":"ug/L","enforceable":true},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":22,"low":11,"high":22,"kind":"range","display":"11–22","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"11-22"},{"value":17,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"17","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"17"},{"value":5,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"5","units":null,"statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"plant:Symbol","rawVerbatim":"HAA5"}]},{"analyteId":"tthm","name":"TTHM","family":"disinfection_byproduct","familyLabel":"Disinfection byproducts","casrn":null,"whatItIs":"Total trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter.","whyItMatters":"Long-term exposure above the federal limit is linked to liver, kidney, and central-nervous-system effects and increased cancer risk.","measured":{"value":35,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"35","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"35"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCL","value":80,"units":"ug/L","enforceable":true},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":35,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"35","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"35"},{"value":47,"low":17,"high":47,"kind":"range","display":"17–47","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"17-47"}]}]},{"family":"inorganic","familyLabel":"Inorganic chemicals","contaminants":[{"analyteId":"fluoride","name":"Fluoride","family":"inorganic","familyLabel":"Inorganic chemicals","casrn":"16984-48-8","whatItIs":"A mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay.","whyItMatters":"Beneficial at low levels, but long-term exposure above the federal limit can cause bone disease and tooth mottling.","measured":{"value":0.58,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0.58","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"0.58"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCLG","value":4,"units":"mg/L","enforceable":false},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":0.58,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0.58","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"0.58"}]},{"analyteId":"nitrate","name":"Nitrate","family":"inorganic","familyLabel":"Inorganic chemicals","casrn":"14797-55-8","whatItIs":"A compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits.","whyItMatters":"Levels above the federal limit can cause 'blue baby syndrome,' a serious oxygen-transport condition in infants.","measured":{"value":0.33,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0.33","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"0.33"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCLG","value":10,"units":"mg/L","enforceable":false},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":0.33,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0.33","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"0.33"}]}]},{"family":"metal","familyLabel":"Metals","contaminants":[{"analyteId":"copper","name":"Copper","family":"metal","familyLabel":"Metals","casrn":"7440-50-8","whatItIs":"A metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing.","whyItMatters":"Short-term exposure causes stomach distress; long-term exposure can damage the liver and kidneys.","measured":{"value":0.3,"low":0,"high":0.3,"kind":"range","display":"0–0.3","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"0.0 - 0.3"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCLG","value":1.3,"units":"mg/L","enforceable":false},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":0.3,"low":0,"high":0.3,"kind":"range","display":"0–0.3","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","rawVerbatim":"0.0 - 0.3"},{"value":0,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","rawVerbatim":"0"}]},{"analyteId":"lead","name":"Lead","family":"metal","familyLabel":"Metals","casrn":"7439-92-1","whatItIs":"A toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures.","whyItMatters":"There is no safe level of lead; it harms brain development in children and raises blood pressure in adults. The EPA sets an action level, not a health goal above zero.","measured":{"value":0,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"0"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCLG","value":0,"units":"ug/L","enforceable":false},"status":{"key":"none","label":"None detected"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":0,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","rawVerbatim":"0"},{"value":0,"low":0,"high":0,"kind":"range","display":"0–0","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","rawVerbatim":"0 - 0"}]},{"analyteId":"sodium","name":"Sodium","family":"metal","familyLabel":"Metals","casrn":"7440-23-5","whatItIs":"A naturally occurring salt component.","whyItMatters":"Not federally regulated for health; relevant for people on sodium-restricted diets.","measured":{"value":5.3,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"5.3","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"5.3"},"federalStandard":null,"status":{"key":"detected","label":"Detected — no federal limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":5.3,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"5.3","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"5.3"}]}]},{"family":"pfas","familyLabel":"PFAS (\"forever chemicals\")","contaminants":[{"analyteId":"pfoa","name":"PFOA","family":"pfas","familyLabel":"PFAS (\"forever chemicals\")","casrn":"335-67-1","whatItIs":"Perfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products.","whyItMatters":"Linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune effects; the EPA set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion.","measured":{"value":2,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"2","units":"ng/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"2"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCL","value":4,"units":"ng/L","enforceable":true},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":2,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"2","units":"ng/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"2"},{"value":2,"low":0,"high":2,"kind":"range","display":"0–2","units":"ng/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"ND-2"}]}]}],"contaminants":[{"analyteId":"chlorine","name":"Chlorine","family":"disinfectant","familyLabel":"Disinfectants","casrn":null,"whatItIs":"A disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses.","whyItMatters":"Effective and necessary, but high residual levels can cause taste and odor issues; the EPA caps the residual disinfectant level.","measured":{"value":1.02,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"1.02","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"1.02"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MRDLG","value":4,"units":"mg/L","enforceable":false},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":1.07,"low":0.81,"high":1.07,"kind":"range","display":"0.81–1.07","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"0.81-1.07"},{"value":1.02,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"1.02","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"1.02"}]},{"analyteId":"haa5","name":"HAA5","family":"disinfection_byproduct","familyLabel":"Disinfection byproducts","casrn":null,"whatItIs":"Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter.","whyItMatters":"Long-term exposure above the federal limit is associated with an increased cancer risk.","measured":{"value":17,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"17","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"17"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCL","value":60,"units":"ug/L","enforceable":true},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":22,"low":11,"high":22,"kind":"range","display":"11–22","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"11-22"},{"value":17,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"17","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"17"},{"value":5,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"5","units":null,"statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"plant:Symbol","rawVerbatim":"HAA5"}]},{"analyteId":"tthm","name":"TTHM","family":"disinfection_byproduct","familyLabel":"Disinfection byproducts","casrn":null,"whatItIs":"Total trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter.","whyItMatters":"Long-term exposure above the federal limit is linked to liver, kidney, and central-nervous-system effects and increased cancer risk.","measured":{"value":35,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"35","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"35"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCL","value":80,"units":"ug/L","enforceable":true},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":35,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"35","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"running_annual_avg","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"35"},{"value":47,"low":17,"high":47,"kind":"range","display":"17–47","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"17-47"}]},{"analyteId":"fluoride","name":"Fluoride","family":"inorganic","familyLabel":"Inorganic chemicals","casrn":"16984-48-8","whatItIs":"A mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay.","whyItMatters":"Beneficial at low levels, but long-term exposure above the federal limit can cause bone disease and tooth mottling.","measured":{"value":0.58,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0.58","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"0.58"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCLG","value":4,"units":"mg/L","enforceable":false},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":0.58,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0.58","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"0.58"}]},{"analyteId":"nitrate","name":"Nitrate","family":"inorganic","familyLabel":"Inorganic chemicals","casrn":"14797-55-8","whatItIs":"A compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits.","whyItMatters":"Levels above the federal limit can cause 'blue baby syndrome,' a serious oxygen-transport condition in infants.","measured":{"value":0.33,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0.33","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"0.33"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCLG","value":10,"units":"mg/L","enforceable":false},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":0.33,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0.33","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"0.33"}]},{"analyteId":"copper","name":"Copper","family":"metal","familyLabel":"Metals","casrn":"7440-50-8","whatItIs":"A metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing.","whyItMatters":"Short-term exposure causes stomach distress; long-term exposure can damage the liver and kidneys.","measured":{"value":0.3,"low":0,"high":0.3,"kind":"range","display":"0–0.3","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"0.0 - 0.3"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCLG","value":1.3,"units":"mg/L","enforceable":false},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":0.3,"low":0,"high":0.3,"kind":"range","display":"0–0.3","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","rawVerbatim":"0.0 - 0.3"},{"value":0,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","rawVerbatim":"0"}]},{"analyteId":"lead","name":"Lead","family":"metal","familyLabel":"Metals","casrn":"7439-92-1","whatItIs":"A toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures.","whyItMatters":"There is no safe level of lead; it harms brain development in children and raises blood pressure in adults. The EPA sets an action level, not a health goal above zero.","measured":{"value":0,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"0"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCLG","value":0,"units":"ug/L","enforceable":false},"status":{"key":"none","label":"None detected"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":0,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"0","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","rawVerbatim":"0"},{"value":0,"low":0,"high":0,"kind":"range","display":"0–0","units":"ug/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"at_the_tap","rawVerbatim":"0 - 0"}]},{"analyteId":"sodium","name":"Sodium","family":"metal","familyLabel":"Metals","casrn":"7440-23-5","whatItIs":"A naturally occurring salt component.","whyItMatters":"Not federally regulated for health; relevant for people on sodium-restricted diets.","measured":{"value":5.3,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"5.3","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"5.3"},"federalStandard":null,"status":{"key":"detected","label":"Detected — no federal limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":5.3,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"5.3","units":"mg/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"5.3"}]},{"analyteId":"pfoa","name":"PFOA","family":"pfas","familyLabel":"PFAS (\"forever chemicals\")","casrn":"335-67-1","whatItIs":"Perfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products.","whyItMatters":"Linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune effects; the EPA set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion.","measured":{"value":2,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"2","units":"ng/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","censored":false,"detectionLimit":null,"rawVerbatim":"2"},"federalStandard":{"type":"MCL","value":4,"units":"ng/L","enforceable":true},"status":{"key":"under","label":"Within the limit"},"breakdowns":[],"measurements":[{"value":2,"low":null,"high":null,"kind":"point","display":"2","units":"ng/L","statisticType":"reported_level","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"2"},{"value":2,"low":0,"high":2,"kind":"range","display":"0–2","units":"ng/L","statisticType":"range","samplingContext":"system","rawVerbatim":"ND-2"}]}]}}