Lakeland, FL: 728 Violations — 63/100 (2026)
13 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Lakeland water quality is uneven — some service areas show clean compliance; others carry documented violations in FL EPA records.
How Lakeland Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Lakeland, FL
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Lakeland score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Lakeland Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 728 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,092 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.11 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Lakeland
Residential water service in Lakeland, FL is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 12 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 13 ZIP codes in Lakeland, Florida, covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 269,002 people.
13 of 13 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lakeland: C (63/100)
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
Lakeland water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0006 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): 12 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 1 ZIP code
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 420 | 13 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 280 | 13 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 42 | 13 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 14 | 13 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 14 | 13 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33801 | C | 56 | 0 | City of Lakeland, |
| 33802 | B | 56 | 0 | City of Lakeland, |
| 33803 | C | 56 | 0 | City of Lakeland, |
| 33804 | C | 56 | 0 | City of Lakeland, |
| 33805 | C | 56 | 0 | City of Lakeland, |
| 33806 | C | 56 | 0 | City of Lakeland, |
| 33807 | C | 56 | 0 | City of Lakeland, |
| 33809 | C | 56 | 0 | City of Lakeland, |
| 33810 | D | 56 | 0 | City of Lakeland, |
| 33811 | C | 56 | 0 | City of Lakeland, |
All ZIP Codes in Lakeland
- 33801 [C] — 56 violations
- 33802 [B] — 56 violations
- 33803 [C] — 56 violations
- 33804 [C] — 56 violations
- 33805 [C] — 56 violations
- 33806 [C] — 56 violations
- 33807 [C] — 56 violations
- 33809 [C] — 56 violations
- 33810 [D] — 56 violations
- 33811 [C] — 56 violations
- 33812 [C] — 56 violations
- 33813 [C] — 56 violations
- 33815 [C] — 56 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.
Health Outcomes in Lakeland
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
Top Contaminants in Lakeland Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Lakeland
With 50% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Lakeland, where the median build year is 1984, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Lakeland were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Lakeland Homeowners
In Lakeland, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Lakeland are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,131–$3,215 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 27% below the Florida average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Lakeland
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 50% of Lakeland stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Lakeland
A claim count of 776 in the NFIP database — alongside 85% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones — points to something data alone can only partly convey: a community that has repeatedly dealt with the full consequences of significant flooding. Treatment plants overwhelmed by floodwater, private wells compromised by surface infiltration, and distribution systems stressed by pressure events are all downstream effects of the flood history Lakeland's NFIP record documents.
Lakeland has a significant flood history with 776 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $41,488 per claim. With 85% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,092</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 Lakeland
- 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 Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Lakeland's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lakeland, FL