Port Charlotte, FL: 84 Violations — 62/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Compared to top-scoring cities in FL, Port Charlotte lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Port Charlotte Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Water Quality Map: Port Charlotte, FL
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Port Charlotte score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Port Charlotte Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 84 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0096 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 38% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.45 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Port Charlotte
Water delivery in Port Charlotte, FL is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 6 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Port Charlotte, Florida (population ~85,813), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 191,339 people region-wide.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Port Charlotte: C (62/100)
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
Port Charlotte water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0096 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 6 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 28 | 6 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 21 | 6 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 14 | 6 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 6 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33948 | C | 14 | 0 | Charlotte County Utilities |
| 33949 | B | 14 | 0 | Charlotte County Utilities |
| 33952 | D | 14 | 0 | Charlotte County Utilities |
| 33953 | C | 14 | 0 | Charlotte County Utilities |
| 33954 | C | 14 | 0 | Charlotte County Utilities |
| 33981 | C | 14 | 0 | Charlotte County Utilities |
All ZIP Codes in Port Charlotte
- 33948 [C] — 14 violations
- 33949 [B] — 14 violations
- 33952 [D] — 14 violations
- 33953 [C] — 14 violations
- 33954 [C] — 14 violations
- 33981 [C] — 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.
Health Outcomes in Port Charlotte
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 Port Charlotte Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Port Charlotte
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
With a median build year of 1990, Port Charlotte's housing stock reflects a city built across multiple eras. A substantial share of homes predate 1986 — the year lead solder in plumbing was federally banned — meaning the risk from plumbing materials is unevenly distributed across the city's neighborhoods and property types.
Most homes in Port Charlotte 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Port Charlotte Homeowners
Given current Port Charlotte valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Port Charlotte are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,533 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 10% below the Florida average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Port Charlotte
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.
Older stock in Port Charlotte represents 38% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Port Charlotte
Flood exposure in Port Charlotte is substantial — 2686 NFIP claims on record and 83% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated zones. That volume of documented flood activity places water-quality implications of flooding firmly in the active-risk category rather than the hypothetical.
Port Charlotte has a significant flood history with 2,686 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $21,660 per claim. With 83% 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>$1,800</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 Port Charlotte
- 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 Total Coliform can reduce the most common contaminant found in Port Charlotte's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 38% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Port Charlotte, FL