City of Lakeland
EPA ID: FL6531014 · 193,297 people served · 18 ZIP codes
City of Lakeland shows 18 open EPA violations in current federal records for approximately 193,297 people.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 3 (2021) to 18 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Lakeland Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The City of Lakeland serves a community with a median household income of $64,248 and an estimated 380,179 residents across its service area. Approximately 52% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 54% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
City of Lakeland's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 1% of homes in Polk County, Florida rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How City of Lakeland compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 30 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Coliform at 20 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 11 detections recorded.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Florida
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
City of Lakeland, (EPA ID: FL6531014) is a community water system in Florida that serves approximately 193,297 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 18 ZIP codes across 6 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (64/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 1, 2025 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Unresolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 1, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 1, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 1, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| March 1, 2023 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| March 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 30 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 20 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33840 | 0.0013 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33801 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33802 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33803 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33804 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33805 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33806 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33807 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33809 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33810 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33811 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33812 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33813 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33815 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 14 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 4 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
- 33801 — Lakeland
- 33802 — Lakeland
- 33803 — Lakeland
- 33804 — Lakeland
- 33805 — Lakeland
- 33806 — Lakeland
- 33807 — Lakeland
- 33809 — Lakeland
- 33810 — Lakeland
- 33811 — Lakeland
- 33812 — Lakeland
- 33813 — Lakeland
- 33815 — Lakeland
- 33823 — Auburndale
- 33830 — Bartow
- 33840 — Eaton Park
- 33860 — Mulberry
- 33868 — Polk City
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Lakeland (FL6531014) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Lakeland water safe to drink?
City of Lakeland has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does City of Lakeland serve?
City of Lakeland serves approximately 193,297 people across 18 ZIP codes in Florida.
Where does City of Lakeland get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: FDEP PWS Lead Service Line Inventories (LSLI) · Submitted 2024
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
City of Lakeland (EPA ID: FL6531014) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.