Frequently Asked Questions

Several types of minerals can be found in tap water. Minerals containing calcium and magnesium are common in local groundwater supplies and are responsible for the white spots observed when tap water is allowed to dry on household surfaces. While these spots may be unwelcome, these naturally occurring minerals in your tap water provide a protective internal coating deemed optimum for controlling corrosion of your home’s water pipes and plumbing fixtures. The most common mineral deposits are lime, rust, and calcium.

Mineral deposits that are allowed to accumulate over time on household surfaces can become more problematic to remove. Routine household maintenance such as wiping water droplets from surfaces before evaporation occurs can help prevent mineral deposits.

Learn more from EGLE's Common Drinking Water Quality Concerns.

The level of hardness in tap water is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water, both of which are common minerals found in the City’s groundwater supply. Most City water customers receive water with moderate hardness. The City of Grand Ledge tests water 16 times each month to ensure the water is safe to drink.

While hard water can require additional cleaning steps, these naturally occurring minerals in your tap water provide protective internal coating deemed optimum for controlling corrosion of your home’s water pipes and plumbing fixtures.

Please note, the City of Grand Ledge is legally required to regularly test the water we provide as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act and make the results available to their customers (view the City's Annual Water Quality Report.)

Learn more at EGLE's Drinking Water & Environmental Health Division (Community Water Supply)

Making up at least 5% of the earth’s crust, iron is one of the earth’s most plentiful resources. Rainwater as it infiltrates the soil and underlying geologic formations dissolves iron, causing it to seep into aquifers that serve as sources of groundwater for wells. Although present in drinking water, iron is seldom found at concentrations greater than 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 10 parts per million. However, as little as 0.3 mg/L can cause water to turn a reddish brown color. Iron is not hazardous to health, but it is considered a secondary or aesthetic contaminant. Essential for good health, iron helps transport oxygen in the blood.

Learn more from Care for MI Drinking Water's Iron Help Sheet.

Lead has not been detected in the City’s source water. While lead has not been detected in the City’s source water, there have been instances where lead was detected through testing individual customer taps. The City has been testing an average of 20 sites at the highest risk for lead, as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), every one to three years since 1992. In all instances, these tests have been found in compliance with water quality standards, including lead levels that have not reached above the Federal Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). 

For the latest water sampling results (including lead testing), please view the City's Annual Water Quality Report.

EGLE also established the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) to protect public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water. The rule establishes action levels (AL) for lead and copper based on a 90th percentile level of tap water samples. An action level exceedance is not a violation but triggers other requirements to minimize exposure to lead and copper in drinking water, including water quality parameter monitoring, corrosion control treatment, source water monitoring/treatment, public education, and lead service line replacement. All community water supplies are subject to the LCR requirements.

The City’s water system pulls ground water from four different wells that are 250 feet below ground. The water is tested before it travels into the public water towers and water main. Water is tested 16 times a month in the City's laboratory, which is required to be certified by EGLE, to ensure testing methodology and reporting meets certification requirements.

For sampling data and additional information on the City’s water quality, view the most recent Water Quality Report or stop by City Hall, open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, for a printed copy.

You may also learn more about the regulation of your water quality here.