Is Babson Park, FL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded C+, with 9 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
69.8/100
waterverge.com Babson Park, FL — Water Quality Report
Babson Park's drinking water received a grade of C+ (69.8 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,404 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 54 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
What to know about Babson Park's water
Babson Park ranks #228 out of 388 cities in Florida for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Babson Park relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Babson Park may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 19 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Babson Park, FL water safe to drink?
Babson Park's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (69.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,404 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Babson Park
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Babson Park's water quality assessment. Grade: C+ (69.8/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: E. COLI, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4834). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3622). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Babson Park's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Babson Park's water system has 54 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved. 19 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Polk County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2016. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Peace Creek Drainage Canal, Peace Creek, Saddle Creek, Lake Lena Run, Peace River.
Where does Babson Park's water come from?
Babson Park's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 2,404 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Peace Creek Drainage Canal (stream), Peace Creek (river), Saddle Creek (river), Lake Lena Run (river), Peace River (river).
What Babson Park residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Babson Park's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Babson Park's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Babson Park
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Babson Park, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
NUCOR STEEL FLORIDA INC. FROSTPROOF, FL33843 | — | — | 7.1 mi |
TMS INTERNATIONAL LLC FROSTPROOF, FL33843 | — | — | 7.1 mi |
FLORIDA'S NATURAL GROWERS INC. LAKE WALES, FL33853 | — | — | 6.9 mi |
CITROSUCO N.A. INC LAKE WALES, FL33898 | — | — | 4.5 mi |
WESTLAKE ROYAL ROOFING - LAKE WALES LAKE WALES, FL33898 | — | — | 4.5 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtPolk County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Polk County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2016. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Babson Park compares by contaminant
Explore where Babson Park ranks among all Florida cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Babson Park's water comes from
Babson Park's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,404 people through 3 water systems.
Water bodies near Babson Park
Babson Park is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Babson Park
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BABSON PARK | FL6530098 | 2,161 | GW |
| LA CASA DE LAKE WALES | FL6530262 | 143 | GW |
| BOB'S LANDING MOBILE HOME PARK | FL6530170 | 100 | GW |
How Babson Park compares
Full Florida rankings →Babson Park's score of 69.8/100 is above the average of 50/100 among major Florida cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Florida rankings →About Babson Park, FL
Wikipedia →Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. It is located about 51 miles (82 km) east of Tampa and about 47 miles (76 km) southwest of Orlando, with neighboring Lakeland located to its west. The city's population was 49,219 at the 2020 census, making it the second most populous city in Polk County after Lakeland. It is a principal city of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Babson Park's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Polk
Frequently asked questions
Is Babson Park, FL tap water safe to drink?
Babson Park's water quality earned a grade of C+ (69.8/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #228 out of 388 cities tested in Florida.
What contaminants are in Babson Park's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 54 violations are on record.
How is Babson Park's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Babson Park?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Babson Park's water come from?
Babson Park's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 2,404 residents.
What health violations has Babson Park's water system had?
Babson Park has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.
Is Babson Park's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Babson Park uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 54 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Babson Park's water compare to other cities?
Babson Park ranks #228 out of 388 cities in Florida (better than 41% of state cities) and #10854 out of 15744 cities nationally (31th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.