Every Florida water utility is required to deliver a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to customers by July 1 each year. Most people throw it away. Here is what the numbers actually mean and which ones matter for your home.
MCL vs. MCLG: The Number That Matters
The CCR lists two limits for each contaminant: the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG). The MCL is the legally enforceable limit set based on what treatment technology can practically achieve. The MCLG is the level at which EPA believes there is no known health risk. For many contaminants, the MCLG is zero but the MCL is much higher, this means your water can legally contain detectable amounts of a contaminant that regulators consider unsafe at any level.
Hardness
Hardness is not regulated as a health contaminant but is usually listed as an informational item in Florida CCRs. It is measured in mg/L or grains per gallon. Anything above 120 mg/L (7 gpg) indicates hard water that will cause scale in your plumbing and appliances.
Disinfection Byproducts
Look for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). These form when chlorine or chloramines react with organic matter. The MCL for TTHMs is 80 ppb and for HAA5 is 60 ppb. Florida utilities often test near these limits during summer when organic matter in surface water is highest.
Lead
If your report shows any lead detection, this is a flag. Lead typically enters water from service lines or household plumbing rather than the utility supply itself. If your home was built before 1986, lead solder in your pipes may be a source regardless of what the CCR shows.
What to Do With the Information
A CCR tells you what the utility delivers to your neighborhood, not what comes out of your specific tap. Old pipes, your water heater, and your household plumbing can all change the water quality between the street and your glass. A home water test gives you the actual picture.