Lakes & Stormwater 
The City of Lakeland encompasses an area of approximately 45,000 acres and contains 38 named lakes and numerous smaller lakes, ranging in size from 2.5 acres (Lake Blanton) to 2272 acres (Lake Parker).
Water discharged from these lakes flows through area creeks, ditches and pipes to tributaries of three major river systems—the Peace River, the Alafia River, and the Hillsborough River.
Our lakes are vital to the citizens of Lakeland, as they provide opportunities for recreation, sanctuaries for wildlife, and natural beauty. In 1987, the Lakes Program was added to the City of Lakeland's Public Works Department. Because of the important relationship between stormwater and lake conservation, the Stormwater and Lakes Management Programs were merged in 1999. The purpose of the program is to improve the quality of all City lakes and water resources.
The establishment of the Lakes & Stormwater Division has contributed considerably to improving the health and beauty of our City's lakes and waterways. The Lakes & Stormwater staff invites you to take advantage of and enjoy the many lakes and water resources available to Lakeland residents and visitors alike!
Only rain goes down the storm drain!
To Report Pollution in the street or storm drain:
Call - 863.834.3867 or 863.834.3300
Email - Lakes&Stormwater@lakelandgov.net
Submit questions via- http://cac.lakelandgov.net/
The Pollution Hotline is a means for citizens to quickly and easily report illicit discharges observed within the City of Lakeland. This phone number is directly routed to the Lakes & Stormwater division to enable a quick response to the incident for the purpose of preventing pollution.
All the storm drains within the City of Lakeland drain directly to one of our lakes, ponds, or wetland areas.
Illicit discharges going into the storm drain can include, but are not limited to, waste flows from the following:
- Commercial car wash facilities
- Construction site runoff
- Drainage of chlorinated swimming pool water
- Industrial processes
- Liquids such as oil, grease, paint, chemicals, and automobile fluids
- Pressure washing processes
- Restaurant operations
- Sewage and septic tanks
In addition, grass clippings and yard debris left in the street after lawn maintenance activities also represent an illicit discharge. Upon reaching our lakes, this material is a source of nutrients that can be a contributing factor in algae blooms which may ultimately cause fish kills.
You can be a partner in helping to keep our lakes clean by reporting pollution when observing an illicit discharge in the street or storm drain and please remember…only rain goes down the storm drain!