City of Freeport 2025 Water Quality Report Shows All Contaminants Within Safe Limits
Freeport’s 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report confirms the city’s tap water meets all federal and state safety standards, with every detected contaminant well below maximum allowable levels.
The report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), covers monitoring data from the past year for Freeport’s public water system. The city reported no violations for any contaminant.
Where Freeport’s Water Comes From
Freeport draws its drinking water from six wells tapping the Floridan Aquifer, one of the most productive groundwater sources in the Southeast. Before reaching residents’ taps, the water is treated with chlorine for disinfection.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has conducted a source water assessment for Freeport’s system, identifying six potential sources of contamination — all rated at low to moderate susceptibility.
What the Tests Found
Every contaminant detected during testing fell comfortably within safe limits. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of the key findings:
Radioactive Contaminants
- Radium 226+228: 0.914 pCi/L — The maximum allowed is 5. At under 1, this is roughly one-fifth of the limit. Radium occurs naturally in aquifer rock.
Metals and Minerals
- Barium: 0.027 ppm — Limit is 2. That’s about 1% of the maximum. Naturally occurring and from industrial discharge.
- Fluoride: 0.082 ppm — Limit is 4.0. Essentially a trace amount, well under the cap. Comes from natural deposits and fertilizer runoff.
- Nickel: 6.7 ppb — Limit is 100. About 7% of the allowable level.
- Lead (at the point of entry): 2.3 ppb — The action level is 15. This measures lead in water as it enters the distribution system, before it passes through any home plumbing.
- Sodium: 3.2 ppm — Limit is 160. A very small fraction of the threshold. Typical of aquifer water in coastal areas.
Disinfection By-Products
Chlorine is added to kill harmful microbes, and the by-products it creates are monitored closely:
- Chlorine: 0.89 ppm — The maximum residual disinfectant level is 4.0.
- Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): 1.4 ppb — Limit is 60. Roughly 2% of the maximum.
- Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM): 3.4 ppb — Limit is 80. About 4% of the maximum.
These are among the lowest disinfection by-product levels you’ll see in any public water system — a benefit of drawing from a deep aquifer rather than a surface water source.
Lead and Copper at the Tap
Testing at 30 homes throughout the system found:
- Copper: 0.099 ppm at the 90th percentile — action level is 1.3 ppm. Zero of 30 sites exceeded the limit.
- Lead: 0.8 ppb at the 90th percentile — action level is 15 ppb. Zero of 30 sites exceeded the limit.
No homes tested above the action level for either contaminant.
Important Information About Lead
While Freeport’s water shows very low lead levels at the tap, the report includes a standard advisory: lead is a serious health concern, particularly for pregnant women and young children. It can cause damage to the brain and nervous system.
If you’re concerned about lead exposure from your home plumbing:
- Flush your pipes — Run cold water for 30 seconds to two minutes before drinking if water has been sitting for several hours.
- Use a certified filter — Look for ANSI/NSF Standard 53 filters rated for lead removal.
- Check your service line — The city maintains a lead service line inventory available by contacting the water department.
It’s worth noting that lead in drinking water more often comes from home plumbing — pipes, fixtures, and solder — than from the water supply itself. Freeport’s source water lead level of 2.3 ppb is well below concern thresholds.
The Bottom Line
Freeport’s 2025 water quality numbers are solid across the board. Every contaminant is a fraction of its allowable limit, and the city reported zero violations. If you’re a Freeport water customer, the report paints a reassuring picture of what’s coming out of your tap.
Questions about the report can be directed to Larry Tuggle at 850-835-2822 ext. 421.
Source: City of Freeport 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF)
