At the heart of Winter Springs is our commitment to clean, safe, and sustainable water for all residents. The recently released 2024 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report offers a transparent look at the status of our local water supply—and I want to break down the highlights and share where we’re excelling and where we must do better.
✅ What’s Going Right: Commitment to Quality
Winter Springs draws its water from the Floridan Aquifer, one of the most productive groundwater sources in the United States. Our city operates three water treatment plants supplied by eight groundwater wells, delivering an average of 4.447 million gallons of water daily to over 14,000 connections across the city.
Here are some positive highlights from the report:
No MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) violations were reported for key contaminants such as Nitrate, Barium, Fluoride, and Sodium.
All disinfection byproducts, including Chlorine, were within safe levels and comply with federal standards.
The city continues making infrastructure upgrades—recent investments include new pumps, backup power systems, and hydraulic improvements to protect water quality long-term.
⚠️ Areas of Concern: Unregulated Contaminants & Monitoring Lead
While our water meets all required federal and state standards, residents deserve full transparency about some potential concerns:
1. Unregulated Contaminants: PFAS Chemicals
Detected in the 2024 testing were:
PFOA (0.0048 ppb)
PFOS (0.0060 ppb)
PFPeA (0.0038 ppb)
These are PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)—chemicals that can build up in the body over time and are associated with adverse health effects. Although not currently regulated at federal levels, the presence of PFAS is concerning and I am committed to advocating for stronger protections and regular public updates.
2. Lead in Tap Water
While no samples exceeded the EPA’s action level, the 90th percentile result for lead was 0.60 ppb, and some results showed lead presence up to 0.0014 ppm. Lead can enter drinking water from household plumbing systems, not the city’s infrastructure, which is why education is essential.
If you are concerned about lead in your home’s plumbing, I urge you to:
Run your tap water for 30–60 seconds before use
Use certified water filters
Contact the City of Winter Springs for a water test: 407-327-1800
🌿 Water Conservation Efforts Matter
More than 50% of residential water use comes from irrigation. Let’s work together to reduce this.
➡️ Irrigation is restricted to specific days based on your address (see chart on page 4 of the report).
➡️ Free irrigation audits are available to help you save water and money.
🗣️ Let’s Stay Informed and Involved
We are blessed with access to clean groundwater, but we must remain vigilant. The city’s ongoing upgrades, monitoring, and community engagement are vital to maintaining safe drinking water for every household.
📞 Questions? Call 407-327-1800 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
📑 View the full 2024 Water Quality Report shared here and also available at: winterspringsfl.org
I am here to represent you.
As your Commissioner, I remain committed to transparent communication, fiscally responsible investments, and advocacy for sustainable solutions—especially when it comes to our environment and public health.
Together, let’s protect what makes Winter Springs such a special place to call home.
—
Victoria K. Bruce
Winter Springs Commissioner, District 2
