01The verdict: is Holly Hill water safe?
Holly Hill's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (83.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 13,108 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.40 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.1 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓3 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Holly Hill's drinking water received a grade of B+ (83.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 13,108 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 4.1 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. PFAS testing under UCMR 5 found no detectable forever chemicals. The system has 24 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
Holly Hill ranks #114 out of 366 cities in Florida for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Holly 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. Disinfection byproduct (HAA5) levels exceeded the EPA's 60 µg/L maximum contaminant level in UCMR 4 testing (2018–2020). These compounds form when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter and have been linked to increased cancer risk with long-term exposure. Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.24 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
02What's in Holly Hill's water
Every contaminant flagged in Holly Hill, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over MCL — EPA MCL: 60 µg/L
Haloacetic acids exceed the EPA limit. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment, and long-term exposure above the limit is linked to increased cancer risk. Activated carbon filtration reduces them at the tap.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. | 4.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.40 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
| lithium LithiumInorganic A naturally occurring alkali metal found in groundwater. Monitored under UCMR 5 to assess occurrence in drinking water. Health EffectsKidney effects at high doses. Low-level exposure effects under study; some research suggests neurological effects. EPA LimitNo MCL (monitoring only under UCMR 5) Common SourcesNatural mineral deposits, geothermal water, and industrial discharge. | ND | HI | µg/L | PFAS | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | ND | HI | µg/L | PFAS | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | ND | HI | µg/L | PFAS | Not Detected |
| PFTA | ND | HI | µg/L | PFAS | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | ND | HI | µg/L | PFAS | Not Detected |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Florida
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Florida
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Holly Hill's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 24 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
9 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 4.9 ppb since 1992. Latest reading: 4.1 ppb (2023) — 27% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
1.4mg/L(1992)
One sampling round on record — 108% of the 1.3mg/L EPA action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Holly Hill's water comes from
Holly Hill's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
13,108 people
Residents served across Holly Hill's service area.
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 13,108 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF HOLLY HILL | FL3640557 | 13,108 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Holly Hill
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Holly Hill's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Volusia County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Volusia County is in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Holly Hill compares
Scores for nearby Florida cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Florida average (49/100)
Holly Hill scores 83.2/100 — above the Florida average of 49/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Florida rankings →
35 / 100FOrlando, FL
36.8 / 100FTampa, FL
34.4 / 100FJacksonville, FL
39.7 / 100CWest Palm Beach, FL
59.2 / 100FBradenton, FL
41.8 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Holly Hill's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Activated carbon filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Holly Hill alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Holly Hill, FL tap water safe to drink?
Holly Hill's water quality earned a grade of B+ (83.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #114 out of 366 cities tested in Florida.
What contaminants are in Holly Hill's water?
Lead was measured at 4.1 ppb (90th percentile). No PFAS compounds were detected. 24 violations are on record.
How is Holly 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 Holly Hill?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Holly Hill's water come from?
Holly Hill's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 13,108 residents.
Is Holly Hill's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Holly 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 24 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 Holly Hill's water compare to other cities?
Holly Hill ranks #114 out of 366 cities in Florida (better than 69% of state cities) and #6478 out of 15382 cities nationally (58th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.