Lead is rarely in the source water. It usually enters at the home, from corrosion of older plumbing, solder, and brass fixtures. That is why it is measured at the tap. Running cold water before use lowers exposure.
In Florida, Lead was reported by 190 community water systems serving about 981,084 people. 6 of those readings were above the federal legal limit, together serving 4,953 people.
The highest reading relative to the limit was at Nelson's Fish Camp in Marion County, at 640% of it.
Where it comes from: Corrosion of household plumbing; erosion of natural deposits.
Enforceable. A utility must stay at or under this.
Health-based, not enforceable. Often lower than the limit, sometimes zero.
California OEHHA PHG (2009) For comparison the legal limit is 15 ppb.
Health effects the EPA associates with it: In infants and children: delays in physical or mental development. In adults: kidney problems and high blood pressure.
Water at or under the legal limit meets federal safety standards. A reading above a health goal is not the same as being unsafe, and health goals are set purely on health without regard to cost or treatability. Both are shown so the margin is visible either way.
Showing the 25 highest of 190 systems that reported Lead.
These figures describe water as delivered by each utility, not what your home’s plumbing adds after it arrives. Informational; not a substitute for testing your own tap.