- The Okeechobee Utility Authority found elevated lead levels affecting nine homes in Okeechobee County.
- Testing in Late July showed more than 10% of 70 water samples exceeded the EPA’s lead action level.
- Officials are urging residents to test their water, avoid hot tap water for drinking, and have children’s blood checked for lead.
The Okeechobee Utility Authority has issued a drinking water warning after testing found elevated lead levels in homes and buildings across the community. The utility says more than 10% of the water samples it collected exceeded the federal safety limit for lead, prompting required public notice and new safety guidance for residents.
How the Lead Contamination Was Discovered
In late July, the Okeechobee Utility Authority collected 70 water samples from homes and buildings in the area. Testing showed that more than 10% of those samples exceeded the EPA’s action level for lead, which is set at 0.015 mg/L, or 15 parts per billion. That result triggered mandatory public notification under federal drinking water rules.
Officials say the utility’s main source water lines do not contain lead. Instead, the contamination likely comes from older lead pipes, plumbing fixtures, and service lines connected to individual properties. These materials can break down or dissolve small amounts of lead into water as it passes through them. Greg Kennedy, executive director of the Okeechobee Utility Authority, said nine homes in the community have been identified as affected so far.
Steps Okeechobee Residents Can Take Now
The Okeechobee Utility Authority is recommending several precautions for households in the affected area. Residents can use certified water filters designed to remove lead, but the utility stresses that filters must be maintained and replaced according to the manufacturer’s schedule to stay effective.
Officials also warn residents never to use hot tap water for drinking, cooking, or preparing baby formula. Lead dissolves more easily in hot water, and boiling water does not remove it. Residents in Okeechobee who want their water tested can contact the utility directly at 863-763-3239.
Health officials are also recommending that parents have their children’s blood tested for lead through a family doctor, pediatrician, or the local health department. The CDC recommends public health action when a child’s blood lead level reaches 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or higher.
School District Response in Okeechobee County
The Okeechobee County School District is distributing bottled water to students and staff at schools located in the affected areas as a precaution while the issue is addressed. The move is meant to limit potential exposure for children while testing and remediation continue.
Local leaders say the utility will continue monitoring water quality and working with affected households to address lead sources in home plumbing. Residents can find updates on the situation through the utility’s public notices as more information becomes available in the Okeechobee community.
