Lakeland, FL Tap Water Quality Report

The City of Lakeland water serves a population of 193,297 people. In 2022 alone, the city distributed over 8.4 billion gallons of water. The source water for the City of Lakeland comes from nineteen wells drilled 750 feet into the Floridan aquifer. Of these wells, nine have been identified as a “moderate” concern level by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), while six have been identified with a “low” concern level. This summary is of the most recent water quality report for Lakeland in 2022. It can be found here. The report details levels of fluoride, lead, copper, chlorine and many other contaminants.

While the City of Lakeland had no EPA violations on its most recent water quality report, disinfectant byproducts such as chlorine and TTHM reached more than half of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) as outlined by the EPA. Additionally, Radium reached near 20% of the MCL.

Lakeland water undergoes a series of treatment processes, including lime softening, to produce safe and reliable drinking water. The treated water is then delivered to the community through a transmission and distribution system maintained by high-service pumps.

If you are a resident of Lakeland, Florida, or recently moved to the area, you can use this report as a guide. Culligan recommends getting a FREE water test to ensure your home’s tap water is safe.

The report includes measurements for radiological contaminants such as Alpha Emitters, Radium 226 + 228, and Uranium. These contaminants are naturally occurring elements that can be found in the earth’s crust. The highest levels relative to the maximum contaminant level (MCL) was Radium 226 + 228 or combined Radium, which reached up to 1.9, whereas the MCL is 5. None are an EPA violation.

Inorganic contaminants like Barium, Fluoride, and Sodium are also monitored. Barium can be introduced into water supplies through the discharge of drilling wastes and metal refineries. Fluoride is added to the water supply to promote dental health, and Sodium can enter the water through saltwater intrusion or soil leaching. Sodium is caused by salt water intrusion and leaching from soil. None are an EPA violation.

The report also monitors disinfectant by-products like Chlorine, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), and Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM). These by-products are formed when disinfectants used to treat water react with natural organic matter in the water. While none are an EPA violation, it should be noted:

Lead and Copper levels are also tested, primarily because these metals can leach into the water from household plumbing. The 90th percentile result for copper was .29 with a MCL of 1.3, and 2.6 for lead with an Action Level (AL) of 15.

Note: The EPA uses the term “action level” for the regulatory water quality standard for some contaminants, such as lead. But it serves the same primary function as MCL.

All contaminants measured are well within the safety limits set by the EPA, and the source water from the Floridan aquifer. If there is any concern, it would be from the disinfectant byproducts of chlorine, HAA5, and TTHMs, which were measured to be up to more than half the maximum contaminant level.

Culligan of Tampa recommends using a reverse osmosis system to filter out disinfection byproducts and other contaminants.