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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality data for 2 cities serving 280,834 residents
Polk County in Florida has an average water quality score of 79/100 (Grade C) based on analysis of 2 municipal water systems. The county's water systems serve approximately 280,834 residents.
Water quality in Polk County is fair, with some cities showing room for improvement. 1 cities have scores below 70, indicating elevated contaminant levels that residents should be aware of. Lakeland has the best water quality at 95/100.
2 cities ranked by water quality score
| Rank | City | Score | Grade | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lakeland Biggest deduction: 5 monitoring/reporting violations in the last 5 years (−5 pts) | 95 | A | 193,297 |
| 2 | Winter Haven Biggest deduction: 22 monitoring/reporting violations in the last 5 years (−10 pts) | 63 | D | 87,537 |
Real EPA readings across county water systems (lead: latest 90th percentile; PFAS: UCMR5 2023–2026; others: 2012–2019 averages)
| Contaminant | Avg Level | Max Level | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS (PFOA/PFOS max, UCMR5) | 3 ppt | 6 ppt | 4 ppt | 75% | 2 |
| TTHM (2012–2019 avg) | 43.434 ug/L | 50.867 ug/L | 80 ug/L | 54.3% | 2 |
| HAA5 (2012–2019 avg) | 26.905 ug/L | 36.126 ug/L | 60 ug/L | 44.8% | 2 |
| Lead (90th percentile) | 3.8 ppb | 7 ppb | 15 ppb | 25.3% | 2 |
| Fluoride (2012–2019 avg) | 0.591 mg/L | 0.692 mg/L | 4 mg/L | 14.8% | 2 |
| Arsenic (2012–2019 avg) | 0.221 ug/L | 0.341 ug/L | 10 ug/L | 2.2% | 2 |
| Nitrate (2012–2019 avg) | 0.025 mg/L | 0.051 mg/L | 10 mg/L | 0.3% | 2 |
| Uranium (2012–2019 avg) | 0 ug/L | 0 ug/L | 30 ug/L | 0% | 1 |
Recent violations across county water systems
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, E. coli (RTCR) - Revised Total Coliform Rule
8/31/2021
Showing 10 of 20 recent violations
Water quality in Polk County, Florida reflects the region's unique combination of water sources, treatment infrastructure, and environmental factors. Our comprehensive analysis examines 2 municipal water systems serving a combined population of over 280,834 residents.
The county shows moderate water quality performance, with scores ranging from 63/100 in Winter Haven to 95/100 in Lakeland. This 32-point spread indicates significant variation in water quality across the county, suggesting different water sources or treatment approaches.
The most prevalent contaminants detected across Polk County water systems include PFAS (PFOA/PFOS max, UCMR5), TTHM (2012–2019 avg), HAA5 (2012–2019 avg). At least one reading averages above 50% of its EPA limit across the county's systems, worth attention from residents and utilities.
Water quality in Polk County is fair but shows room for improvement. Residents in cities scoring below 70 should consider water filtration, particularly for drinking and cooking. Check your specific city's report above for personalized recommendations.
Polk County has an average water quality score of 79/100 (Grade C) based on analysis of 2 municipal water systems serving 280,834 residents.
Lakeland has the highest water quality score in Polk County at 95/100. View the detailed report for Lakeland.
Given the water quality variation across Polk County, we recommend reviewing your specific city's water quality report. 1 cities have scores below 70, where filtration is particularly recommended.
Click on any city in the rankings table above to view its detailed water quality report, including contaminant levels, EPA compliance history, and filter recommendations.