WaterVerge

Is Center Hill, FL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

762 residents served 1 water system PWSID: FL6600316
Overall Score
93.8 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#13 of 388 in Florida Top 5% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
93.8/100
waterverge.com
A 93.8/100

Center Hill, FL — Water Quality Report

Center Hill's drinking water received a grade of A (93.8 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 762 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 10 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Center Hill's water

Center Hill ranks #13 out of 388 cities in Florida for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Center Hill 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, Center Hill may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
93.8 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.8/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Center Hill, FL water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Center Hill's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 762 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Center Hill

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Center Hill's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.8/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE MILTON

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4834). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE MILTON

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3622). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Center Hill's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Center Hill's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

MRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jan 2022 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jul 2005 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jul 2005 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2002 Nitrate Resolved
Jan 2002 Nitrate Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Sumter County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2017. 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 Palatlakaha River, Palatlakaha River Below Spwy,, Palatlakaha R, Palatlakaha R Below Structure M-6 Nr Mascotte, Palatlakaha R Below Structure M-5 Nr Okahumpka.

HURRICANE MILTON
Hurricane FEMA DR-4834
HURRICANE MILTON
Hurricane FEMA DR-3622
HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-4828

Where does Center Hill's water come from?

Center Hill's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 762 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Palatlakaha River (river), Palatlakaha River Below Spwy, (river), Palatlakaha R (river), Palatlakaha R Below Structure M-6 Nr Mascotte (river), Palatlakaha R Below Structure M-5 Nr Okahumpka (river).

What Center Hill residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Center Hill'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

10
Total violations
1
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jan 2022
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

10 Total
1 Active
1 Health-based
9 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
3
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Nitrate Rule
2
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2022 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jul 2005 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2005
Jul 2005 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2005
Jan 2002 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2002
Jan 2002 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2002
Aug 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2000
May 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2000
Aug 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 1994
Oct 1986 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1990
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Center Hill

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Center Hill, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
METAL INDUSTRIES LLC - BUSHNELL FLORIDA
Fabricated Metals · GREENHECK FAN CORP
BUSHNELL, FL33513
7.7 mi
CEMEX BUSHNELL
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · CEMEX INC
BUSHNELL, FL33513
4.1 mi
SUWANNEE AMERICAN CEMENT CO LLC
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · CRH AMERICAS INC
SUMTERVILLE, FL33585
9.3 mi
ROBBINS MFG CO
Wood Products · ROBBINS MANUFACTURING CO
WEBSTER, FL33597
5.3 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Sumter 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
23.1%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Oct 2024
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Sumter County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2017. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Oct 2024
HURRICANE MILTON
Hurricane FEMA #4834
Oct 2024
HURRICANE MILTON
Hurricane FEMA #3622
Sep 2024
HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA #4828
Aug 2023
HURRICANE IDALIA
Hurricane FEMA #4734
Dec 2022
HURRICANE NICOLE
Hurricane FEMA #4680
Sep 2022
HURRICANE IAN
Hurricane FEMA #4673

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 10.0 ppb from 1993 (10.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Center Hill compares by contaminant

Explore where Center Hill ranks among all Florida cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
762
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Center Hill's water comes from

Groundwater

Center Hill'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 762 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Center Hill

Center Hill is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Palatlakaha River
river
Palatlakaha River Below Spwy,
river
Palatlakaha R
river
Palatlakaha R Below Structure M-6 Nr Mascotte
river
Palatlakaha R Below Structure M-5 Nr Okahumpka
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Center Hill

System Name PWSID Population Source
CENTER HILL WATER DEPT-CITY OF FL6600316 762 GW
Regional Comparison

How Center Hill compares

Full Florida rankings →

Center Hill's score of 93.8/100 is above the average of 50/100 among major Florida cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Center Hill (this city)
93.8
Miami
35
Orlando
36.8
Tampa
34.4
Florida avg
50
City Profile

About Center Hill, FL

Economic Profile
$59,514
Median Income
$142,025
Median Home Value
$929/mo
Median Rent
7.3%
Unemployment
Community
40
Median Age
71
People / sq mi
5.1%
College Educated
59.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Center Hill, FL tap water safe to drink?

Center Hill's water quality earned a grade of A (93.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #13 out of 388 cities tested in Florida.

What contaminants are in Center Hill's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.

How is Center Hill'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 Center Hill?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Center Hill's water come from?

Center Hill's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 762 residents.

What health violations has Center Hill's water system had?

Center Hill has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Center Hill's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Center Hill 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 10 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 Center Hill's water compare to other cities?

Center Hill ranks #13 out of 388 cities in Florida (better than 97% of state cities) and #731 out of 15744 cities nationally (95th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Center Hill's small water system affect quality?

Center Hill's system serves approximately 762 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 10 violations on record.