For the vast majority of residents and visitors, Orlando’s tap water is safe to drink, consistently meeting or exceeding the rigorous quality standards set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The water system, managed primarily by the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), is a public utility subject to continuous testing and regulatory oversight. Orlando’s water is sourced entirely from a deep underground reservoir, which provides a naturally protected and high-quality starting point. The safety of the water supply is a result of this natural source and the treatment processes used.
Utility Sources and Treatment Processes
Orlando’s water supply is drawn from the Lower Floridan Aquifer, a vast underground freshwater reservoir hundreds of feet beneath the surface. This deep source benefits from natural filtration as rainwater seeps through layers of sand and rock, which helps to remove impurities. The OUC utilizes seven water treatment plants to pump water from the aquifer and prepare it for distribution.
The water undergoes a multi-step process. A primary component of the treatment is the use of ozone, a powerful disinfectant. Ozone helps to oxidize naturally occurring compounds like hydrogen sulfide, which improves the water’s taste and eliminates earthy or sulfurous odors. Following this, a controlled amount of chlorine is added to maintain disinfection as the water travels through the network of pipes.
Chemical adjustments are also made for public health and infrastructure protection. Fluoride is added to promote dental health. Sodium hydroxide is introduced to adjust the water’s pH level, making the water less corrosive to the pipes and reducing the leaching of metals.
Key Contaminant Concerns and Regulatory Oversight
Contaminants are a focus of monitoring by the OUC and regulatory bodies. A common concern related to disinfection is the formation of Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs), such as Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). These compounds form when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter, and utilities must keep their levels below strict EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
Florida’s groundwater can also contain substances like arsenic, which is monitored closely and typically found at levels well below federal limits. Additionally, emerging contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are subject to increased scrutiny. The EPA and the FDEP oversee this monitoring, requiring the utility to test for over 135 regulated and unregulated substances throughout the year.
The aesthetic characteristic of Orlando’s water is its moderate hardness, due to high concentrations of calcium and magnesium minerals. While hard water can lead to scale buildup on fixtures and appliances, it poses no health risk and is not a regulated contaminant. The regulatory framework ensures that while these substances are present, their concentrations are maintained at levels considered safe for consumption.
Assessing Risk in Private Plumbing and Older Homes
Water quality changes after the municipal supply enters a private property’s plumbing. Although the municipal system uses corrosion control methods, the age and material of a home’s pipes can still impact tap water safety. Homes built before Florida’s statewide ban on lead-containing plumbing in 1989 are at the highest risk for lead exposure.
Lead can leach into the drinking water from lead service lines, lead solder used to join copper pipes, or older brass fixtures. This leaching is exacerbated when water sits stagnant in the pipes for several hours. Orange County Utilities and the OUC are working to comply with the EPA’s revised Lead and Copper Rule, which requires a complete inventory of service line materials.
Copper leaching is also a possibility in older homes with copper plumbing. The utility’s pH adjustment is a proactive measure to minimize the corrosiveness of the water. However, customers are responsible for the infrastructure within their property lines, making in-home plumbing the final determinant of water quality at the tap.
Actionable Steps for Personalized Water Safety
Residents should review the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which the OUC makes publicly available. This report details the detected levels of all regulated contaminants and confirms compliance with state and federal standards. Checking the CCR is the most direct way to understand the performance of the municipal system.
For residents in older homes, particularly those built before 1989, home water testing for lead is a prudent step. Professional or certified home testing kits can determine the concentration of lead and copper at the tap. If lead is a concern, running the cold water tap for a few minutes each morning can flush out water that has been sitting in the pipes.
Selecting a home filtration system can address specific concerns beyond regulatory compliance, such as TTHMs or water hardness. Simple activated carbon filters, often found in pitcher filters or refrigerator dispensers, are effective at reducing aesthetic issues and many disinfection byproducts. A reverse osmosis system provides a more comprehensive treatment, reducing a wider range of contaminants, including arsenic, PFAS, and heavy metals.