ZipCheckup grade for 33859: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (7 health-based violations). Check your ZIP → NSF certified filters
Lake Wales, FL (33859): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 50/100
EPA data combined for 8 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: City of Lake Wales)
Health-based violation records by water system:
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 33859 in Lake Wales, FL contain 120 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 7 are marked health-based.
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS
At a Glance
- Water EPA records for water systems mapped to this ZIP show 7 health-based violations and 113 non-health-based (since 2021).
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0009 mg/L is below the EPA action level for water systems; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
- PFAS At least one PFAS result is above an EPA MCL value (UCMR5 sampling; MCL compliance required from 2029).
- Radon EPA Zone 2 - county-level radon potential, not a home measurement.
- Flood 17 cumulative NFIP claim records. Claim evidence is historical, not current map coverage.
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Read the card below - it documents the sole critical-level finding on file for Lake Wales (33859), with the high-priority tier of the same safety record returning zero results.
Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: 50/100
This is the published model score. Component and domain values are shown independently; they are not added together on this page.
Canonical components
Required domains
Coverage: 4 of 4 components and 3 of 3 domains observed.
Model 4.0.0; series home-safety-v4-cross-vertical.
Safety & Health (8) CRITICAL
Your Water System
ZIP code 33859 in Lake Wales, Florida is mapped to the water system City of Lake Wales (EPA ID: FL6532234). This system provides water to approximately 18,722 people from groundwater sources.
There are 8 community water systems serving this area.
Water Systems Serving This Area
| System Name | EPA ID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Lake Wales, | FL6532234 | 18,722 | Groundwater |
| Winter Haven Water Department | FL6531992 | 87,537 | Groundwater |
| City of Lake Wales/park Water Company | FL6530408 | 1,948 | Groundwater |
| Carefree Country Club, Inc. | FL6534918 | 784 | Groundwater |
| Waverly Water System | FL6535707 | 1,479 | Groundwater |
Other Water Quality Reports in Florida
- 32003 (Fleming Island) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 32004 (Ponte Vedra Beach)
- 32006 (Fleming Island)
- 32007 (Bostwick)
- 32008 (Branford) - 4 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 32009 (Bryceville)
- 32011 (Callahan) - 6 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 32013 (Day)
- 32024 (Lake City)
- 32025 (Lake City)
- 32026 (Raiford)
- 32030 (Doctors Inlet)
- 32033 (Elkton) - 6 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 32034 (Fernandina Beach) - 4 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 32035 (Fernandina Beach)
- 32038 (Fort White)
- 32040 (Glen Saint Mary) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 32041 (Yulee)
- 32042 (Graham)
- 32043 (Green Cove Springs) - 9 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Nearby Water Quality Reports
- 33853 (Lake Wales) - 3 mi - 25 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 33898 (Lake Wales) - 3 mi - 153 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 33877 (Waverly) - 7 mi - 50 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 33854 (Lakeshore) - 8 mi
- 33884 (Winter Haven) - 8 mi - 134 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 33827 (Babson Park) - 8 mi - 42 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 33820 (Alturas) - 9 mi
- 33845 (Haines City) - 9 mi
- 33885 (Winter Haven) - 9 mi
- 33838 (Dundee) - 10 mi - 100 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for City of Lake Wales (FL6532234) on EPA.gov.
4 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.
PFAS Contamination Detected
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 33859. One or more compound results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029.
Detected compounds: PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, PFBS, PFHxS.
Highest measured level: 0.008 µg/L
Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.
Environmental Hazards (11) HIGH
Home & Infrastructure (7) OK
Cost & Community (9) HIGH
CPSC product recall notices
These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.
Protect Your Home in Lake Wales
Based on local data for ZIP 33859, these services may benefit homeowners in your area.
Based on local data for your area. Use the tools below to explore your options.
Home & Flood Insurance
The ZIP code for this report in Lake Wales has 17 FEMA flood claims on record. Standard homeowner policies don't cover flood damage - make sure you're protected.
Typical cost: Flood insurance: premiums vary by property and flood zone; request a quote
Check Your Flood Zone (Free)FEMA flood map lookup - see if your property is in a flood zone
Free tip: Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov (free lookup)
Roofing Inspection & Repair
Active weather alerts in Florida increase the risk of roof damage from hail and high winds. A professional inspection can identify vulnerabilities.
Typical cost: Roof inspection: typically $75–$300; repairs $300–$1,500
Estimate Your Home Insurance NeedsService recommendations are based on public data for this ZIP code (FEMA, Census ACS, NWS). Actual needs vary by property. By calling, your information will be shared with an independent service provider. ZipCheckup may receive compensation. Cost estimates are approximate and vary by property, condition, and contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water in 33859 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 120 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 33859 (primary system: City of Lake Wales), including 7 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.
Where does 33859's water come from?
The recorded water source for City of Lake Wales, a system mapped to ZIP code 33859, is Groundwater. This system serves approximately 18,722 people.
How does Lake Wales water compare to the national average?
Lake Wales's Home Safety Score ranks lower than 93% of U.S. ZIP codes, and lower than 100% of ZIP codes within Florida.
How can I get my water tested in Lake Wales?
If City of Lake Wales supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.
Is lead a concern in 33859 tap water?
The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 33859 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0009 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2023-12-01). The EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L. This result is below the EPA action level; it does not show the lead level in each home.
What is the radon risk for 33859?
33859 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 2 (moderate county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Polk County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.
Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 33859's water?
Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 33859. One or more PFAS results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.
What does the NFIP claim history show for ZIP 33859?
FEMA records contain 17 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 33859; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is X, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. Claim records do not establish current property risk. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (2026). Lake Wales, FL (33859): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 50/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/33859/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-33859,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Lake Wales, FL (33859): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems - 50/100}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/33859/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 33859
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33853 | Lake Wales, FL | 2.8 mi | C | 25 |
| 33898 | Lake Wales, FL | 3.2 mi | C | 153 |
| 33877 | Waverly, FL | 6.9 mi | N/A | 50 |
| 33854 | Lakeshore, FL | 7.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 33884 | Winter Haven, FL | 7.8 mi | D | 134 |
| 33827 | Babson Park, FL | 7.8 mi | N/A | 42 |
| 33820 | Alturas, FL | 8.7 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 33845 | Haines City, FL | 8.7 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 33885 | Winter Haven, FL | 8.7 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 33838 | Dundee, FL | 9.8 mi | C | 100 |
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