Water Quality: Winter Haven, FL
22 water systems • 248,145 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Winter Haven is served by 22 public water systems with a combined service population of 248,145 people, and has 828 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 23 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Winter Haven's violation count is 928% above the national average for Florida. Contaminants associated with violations include E. coli, Gross Alpha, Stage 2 DBP, TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants Found
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Winter Haven
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WINTER HAVEN WATER DEPARTMENT | FL6531992 | Groundwater | 87,537 | 53 |
| NORTHEAST | FL6530617 | Groundwater | 60,557 | 47 |
| SOUTHWEST/POLK COUNTY UTILITY | FL6530852 | Groundwater | 39,209 | 34 |
| NORTHWEST | FL6532348 | Groundwater | 28,082 | 52 |
| CENTRAL | FL6534609 | Groundwater | 13,595 | 42 |
| EAST WATER SYSTEM | FL3531744 | Groundwater | 5,052 | 42 |
| SOUTHEAST | FL6531742 | Groundwater | 2,828 | 47 |
| BABSON PARK | FL6530098 | Groundwater | 2,161 | 23 |
| FOXWOOD LAKE ESTATES | FL6532587 | Groundwater | 1,816 | 14 |
| WAVERLY WATER SYSTEM | FL6535707 | Groundwater | 1,479 | 63 |
| BRADLEY JUNCTION, TOWN OF | FL6535304 | Groundwater | 1,260 | 21 |
| CAREFREE COUNTRY CLUB, INC. | FL6534918 | Groundwater | 784 | 52 |
| ORCHID SPRINGS | FL6531313 | Groundwater | 750 | 23 |
| TIMBER CREEK SUBDIVISION | FL6534868 | Groundwater | 556 | 29 |
| PINES, THE | FL6531796 | Groundwater | 505 | 26 |
| WALK-IN-THE-WATER LAKE ESTATES | FL3531009 | Groundwater | 502 | 25 |
| LAKESIDE RANCH INVESTMENT CORP | FL6531021 | Groundwater | 325 | 28 |
| LAKE GARFIELD ESTATES | FL6532277 | Groundwater | 296 | 37 |
| HAMMONDELL CAMPSITES | FL6530718 | Groundwater | 275 | 55 |
| COUNTRY CLASS | FL6534999 | Groundwater | 256 | 40 |
| CYPRESS GARDENS M.H. ; R.V. PARK | FL6530418 | Groundwater | 250 | 54 |
| ARROW LEE APARTMENTS | FL6532781 | Groundwater | 70 | 21 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Florida
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.