Lake City, FL: 16 Health Violations — 66/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
While Lake City avoids FL's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.
How Lake City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Lake City Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 56 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0026 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,675 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.55 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Lake City
Lake City, FL draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 5 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Lake City, Florida, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 60,704 people.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 16 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lake City: C (66/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Lake City water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0026 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 20 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 20 | 4 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 4 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 10 | 4 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32024 | C | 14 | 4 | City of Lake City (price Creek Wtp) |
| 32025 | C | 14 | 4 | City of Lake City (price Creek Wtp) |
| 32055 | C | 14 | 4 | City of Lake City (price Creek Wtp) |
| 32056 | B | 14 | 4 | City of Lake City (price Creek Wtp) |
All ZIP Codes in Lake City
- 32024 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 32025 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 32055 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 32056 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Lake City
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Lake City
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Lake City's Housing Stock?
With 45% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Over the decades, Lake City accumulated housing from multiple construction periods. The median build year of 1988 places the midpoint of that stock near the 1986 threshold when lead solder in plumbing became federally prohibited — leaving a sizable share of homes on each side of that safety line.
Most homes in Lake City were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lake City: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Is remediation financially manageable for Lake City homeowners? At a moderate equity share, generally yes — with deliberate budgeting ahead of time.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Lake City. The estimated $1,450–$4,825 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 45% below the Florida average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Lake City
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If 45% of the Lake City inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Lake City
Flood activity in Lake City is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 205-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Lake City has a moderate flood history with 205 FEMA claims averaging $26,012 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,675</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Lake City
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Stage 2 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Lake City's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 45% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lake City, FL