Orlando – Florida
Orlando’s water system is managed by two primary utilities: the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) and Orange County Utilities, serving over 400,000 residents across a 200-square-mile service area. The system includes seven water treatment plants operated by OUC and multiple facilities managed by Orange County, delivering approximately 90 million gallons of drinking water daily. Orlando’s comprehensive water system features advanced treatment technology, particularly OUC’s innovative ozone treatment process, which was implemented through Water Project 2000, a five-year initiative that modernized the city’s water infrastructure.
Orlando draws its drinking water exclusively from the Floridan Aquifer, a natural underground reservoir that provides pristine groundwater naturally filtered through hundreds of feet of sand and rock. This high-quality source water undergoes additional treatment to ensure safety and improve taste. Orlando’s water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state safety standards, though the city faces challenges with hard water, which contains elevated mineral content that can affect appliances and plumbing. The utilities provide regular water quality testing and comprehensive customer assistance programs to ensure reliable water delivery throughout the greater Orlando metropolitan area.
Orlando Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: Recent testing shows 90th percentile lead levels of 3-7.89 parts per billion (ppb), well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, though older homes may have lead service lines or plumbing that can contribute to higher levels.
- Testing Scope: Orlando utilities conduct approximately 12,000 water quality tests annually, which is three times more than required by regulations, ensuring comprehensive monitoring throughout the distribution system.
- Compliance Status: Orlando’s water meets all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining compliance with EPA and Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulations.
Natural Aquifer Source
- Floridan Aquifer: Orlando’s sole water source is a deep underground freshwater reservoir, naturally protected from surface contaminants and providing consistently high-quality water.
- Natural Filtration: Rainwater undergoes a natural cleansing process as it filters through hundreds of feet of sand and rock before reaching the aquifer, removing many impurities.
- Water Hardness: The average hardness of Orlando water is 129 ppm or 7 grains per gallon, classifying it as moderately hard water that can affect appliances and plumbing over time.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Ozone Treatment: OUC utilizes an advanced ozone treatment process that effectively removes hydrogen sulfide, improves taste and odor, and reduces the need for chlorine.
- Multi-Stage Process: Water treatment includes ozonation, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to ensure safety and quality.
- Fluoridation: Fluoride is added at an average concentration of 0.60 ppm to promote dental health, consistent with Department of Health and Human Services recommendations.
Infrastructure Management
- Treatment Facilities: OUC operates seven water treatment plants across the service area, all equipped with state-of-the-art security systems and regularly maintained infrastructure.
- Distribution Network: Orlando’s water system includes an extensive network of water mains that deliver treated water throughout the metropolitan area.
- System Monitoring: Continuous monitoring systems track water quality and system performance, allowing for quick responses to any issues that arise.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Orlando utilities offer comprehensive customer support including water quality assistance, conservation programs, and emergency services through 311 and dedicated hotlines. Educational resources help residents understand water quality issues and best practices for water use. Orlando’s water utilities prioritize infrastructure improvements and maintain transparent communication about water quality through annual Consumer Confidence Reports. The combination of excellent source water from the Floridan Aquifer and advanced treatment technology ensures that Orlando residents receive high-quality drinking water that meets or exceeds all regulatory standards.
Recommendations for Orlando Residents
Request Water Testing
Contact your water utility (OUC at 407-423-9018 or Orange County Utilities at 407-836-5515) to request water quality testing, especially if you live in a home built before 1987 that may have lead plumbing components.
Consider Water Filters
Install NSF-certified filters (Standard 53) for drinking and cooking water if you’re concerned about lead, disinfection byproducts, or hard water. For hard water issues, consider a whole-house water softener system.
Practice Water Conservation
Follow watering restrictions and conservation guidelines, especially during dry periods. Water lawns only during designated hours (before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.) to reduce evaporation and maximize efficiency.
Flush Your Pipes
If water has been sitting in pipes for 6+ hours, run cold water for 30-60 seconds before using for drinking or cooking. This helps flush any metals that may have accumulated in standing water, especially in older plumbing systems.
Report Water Issues
Contact your utility provider immediately for water main breaks, pressure problems, or quality concerns. For OUC customers, call 407-423-9018. For Orange County Utilities customers, call 407-836-5515 or 407-836-2777 for emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orlando’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Orlando’s tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards and is considered safe to drink. The water comes from the protected Floridan Aquifer and undergoes comprehensive treatment including ozonation, filtration, and disinfection.
However, lead can enter water through older service lines and plumbing in homes built before 1987. Recent testing shows lead levels well below EPA action levels, but it remains a concern for vulnerable populations. The utility provides free testing, and residents in older homes should consider using certified filters as a precaution if concerned about lead or other contaminants.
How do I know if my home has lead pipes?
To determine if your home has lead pipes or plumbing components:
1. Look at exposed pipes where water enters your home (usually in basement or crawl space). Lead pipes are dull gray, soft enough to scratch with a key, and won’t attract a magnet.
2. Contact your water utility (OUC or Orange County Utilities) to request information on your service line material.
3. Review your property records if your home was built before 1986, when lead pipes were banned.
If you suspect lead plumbing, consider having your water tested. Both OUC and Orange County Utilities offer water testing services to help identify potential lead issues.
Why does Orlando use ozone treatment?
Orlando utilities use ozone as the primary disinfectant, followed by chlorine for residual protection in the distribution system. This combination offers several advantages:
• Superior disinfection: Ozone is more effective against pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and parasites like Cryptosporidium
• Fewer byproducts: Ozone produces fewer harmful disinfection byproducts than chlorine alone
• Better taste and odor: Ozone effectively removes hydrogen sulfide, which can cause unpleasant taste and odor in water from the Floridan Aquifer
• Enhanced treatment: Ozone oxidizes minerals and organic compounds, improving overall water quality
OUC’s Water Project 2000 initiative modernized the treatment facilities to implement this advanced ozone technology, significantly improving water quality throughout the system.
Are there water restrictions in Orlando?
Orlando and Orange County maintain year-round water conservation ordinances:
Watering Restrictions:
• Residential properties with odd-numbered addresses may water only on Wednesdays and Saturdays
• Residential properties with even-numbered addresses may water only on Thursdays and Sundays
• No residential irrigation between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. any day
• Non-residential properties may water only on Tuesdays and Fridays
Drought Response:
During severe drought or water supply emergencies, additional restrictions may be implemented by water management districts. Check utility websites or call 311 for current restrictions and conservation guidelines.
Contaminants of Concern
Lead
Source: Lead service lines and older plumbing fixtures in homes built before 1986; primarily an issue with home plumbing rather than source water
Health Effects: Developmental delays in children, reduced IQ, learning difficulties, kidney problems, cardiovascular effects in adults
Current Levels: 90th percentile value of 3-7.89 ppb, well below EPA action level of 15 ppb EPA Limit: Action level 15 ppb, but no level of lead is considered safe
Disinfection Byproducts
Source: Form when chlorine (used after ozone treatment) reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in water
Health Effects: Potential increased risk of bladder cancer and reproductive effects with long-term exposure to elevated levels
Current Status: Haloacetic Acid levels up to 53.3 ppb (EPA limit: 60 ppb); Trihalomethane levels reported as high as 97 ppb in some areas, which can exceed the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level of 80 ppb
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