Ocala, FL: 56 Health Violations — 67/100 (2026)
14 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring across Ocala paints a mid-range picture within FL — solid compliance in some service zones, documented concerns in others. Most violations on record are concentrated in specific areas, and the overall grade has held in the middle tier without major shifts in recent monitoring cycles.
How Ocala Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Ocala, FL
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Ocala.
Ocala Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 574 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0007 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 41% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,507 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.21 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Ocala
Residential water in Ocala, FL is supplied by 3 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 12 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 14 ZIP codes in Ocala, Florida, covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 253,459 people.
14 of 14 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 56 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ocala: C (67/100)
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
Ocala water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0007 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): 14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 270 | 14 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 120 | 14 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 90 | 14 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 75 | 14 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 60 | 14 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34470 | C | 41 | 4 | Ocala, City of (2 Wtps) |
| 34471 | C | 41 | 4 | Ocala, City of (2 Wtps) |
| 34472 | C | 41 | 4 | Belleview, City of (3 Wps) |
| 34473 | C | 41 | 4 | Spruce Creek North |
| 34474 | B | 41 | 4 | Ocala, City of (2 Wtps) |
| 34475 | C | 41 | 4 | Ocala, City of (2 Wtps) |
| 34476 | B | 41 | 4 | Ocala, City of (2 Wtps) |
| 34477 | C | 41 | 4 | Ocala, City of (2 Wtps) |
| 34478 | B | 41 | 4 | Ocala, City of (2 Wtps) |
| 34479 | B | 41 | 4 | Ocala, City of (2 Wtps) |
All ZIP Codes in Ocala
- 34470 [C] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34471 [C] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34472 [C] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34473 [C] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34474 [B] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34475 [C] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34476 [B] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34477 [C] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34478 [B] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34479 [B] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34480 [B] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34481 [B] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34482 [C] — 41 violations ⚠
- 34483 [C] — 41 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 Ocala
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 Ocala
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Ocala's Housing Stock?
With 41% 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
Ocala's residential inventory spans multiple construction eras, with the median build year of 1991 landing in a zone where pre- and post-1986 homes are both well represented. That split matters because homes built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints — a plumbing practice banned that year — while those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line. Whether a specific household sits on the older or newer end of this distribution is the primary variable shaping its individual exposure risk.
Most homes in Ocala 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.
Ocala: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The Ocala equity share sits above the low tier but short of the range where remediation becomes a heavy financial burden — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and deliberate planning is the key practical lever for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Ocala. The estimated $1,314–$4,479 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 37% below the Florida average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ocala
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Ocala. 41% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Ocala
Although Ocala's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 136 claims and FEMA maps place 71% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Ocala has a moderate flood history with 136 FEMA claims averaging $16,865 per payout. 71% 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>$2,507</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 Ocala
- 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 Ocala's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 41% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ocala, FL