Loading water data...
Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 96 cities in Florida
It depends on your utility. 9 of the 87 Florida water systems we grade from EPA records have a health-based violation in the last five years; the state averages 77/100 (11 below the national 88). Lowest graded: Lauderhill (F). Highest: Ormond Beach (A).
Florida's official certified-lab list, when to test well vs city water, typical lab prices, and how to take a first-draw lead sample.
Across the 87 Florida water systems we can grade from EPA records, the average score is 77/100 — 11 points below the U.S. national average of 88/100. 36% of graded Florida cities (31 of 87) score above that national benchmark, and 31 earn a Grade A. 9 cities have at least one health-based EPA violation in the last five years. 9 cities are not graded because we have not yet matched them to an EPA water system.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in Florida water systems are sodium and chloride (saltwater intrusion), nitrates (septic systems and agriculture) and radium (naturally occurring). See the full breakdown in our Florida water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in Florida
59,744 residents
31,358 residents
536,466 residents
76,033 residents
112,324 residents
16,473 residents
82,752 residents
71,096 residents
47,933 residents
34,345 residents
272,267 residents
110,102 residents
56,475 residents
54,747 residents
51,000 residents
193,297 residents
92,219 residents
826,664 residents
87,534 residents
39,279 residents
58,584 residents
167,753 residents
97,552 residents
94,929 residents
506,353 residents
349,979 residents
224,485 residents
137,107 residents
85,496 residents
52,300 residents
26,000 residents
57,218 residents
46,921 residents
172,693 residents
71,917 residents
200,480 residents
39,710 residents
130,000 residents
46,295 residents
46,161 residents
214,403 residents
80,000 residents
72,205 residents
39,721 residents
733,886 residents
242,172 residents
81,006 residents
79,715 residents
66,449 residents
34,657 residents
31,250 residents
61,163 residents
48,000 residents
20,605 residents
115,000 residents
86,000 residents
69,754 residents
34,000 residents
28,875 residents
2,377,460 residents
112,000 residents
180,000 residents
62,000 residents
238,000 residents
185,163 residents
147,566 residents
99,400 residents
89,349 residents
83,804 residents
79,550 residents
65,000 residents
63,793 residents
62,254 residents
58,000 residents
54,000 residents
38,905 residents
35,709 residents
87,537 residents
132,000 residents
100,000 residents
48,939 residents
187,459 residents
140,750 residents
46,762 residents
40,000 residents
30,000 residents
55,000 residents
111,640 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
69,319 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
65,070 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
51,095 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
45,425 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
43,223 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
40,242 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
34,670 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
24,439 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
Florida's unique geology creates distinctive water quality characteristics. The state sits atop the Floridan Aquifer, one of the most productive aquifers in the world, which provides drinking water for most Floridians. However, the porous limestone bedrock makes groundwater vulnerable to contamination, and saltwater intrusion poses challenges in coastal areas.
Across the 87 Florida cities graded from EPA records, the average water quality score is 77/100. 32 cities score below 70 (D or F) because of health-based violations, lead results, PFAS or historical readings near a limit. The highest-rated city is Ormond Beach with a score of 100/100, while Lauderhill has the most room for improvement at 21/100.
32 of the 87 Florida cities we grade score below 70/100. If your city is one of them — or you just want extra protection — a certified filter is the fastest way to reduce exposure. The findings that drag a score down (lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrate) are exactly the ones a basic carbon pitcher does not remove.
APEC ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis
Removes 95–99% of lead, arsenic, nitrate, fluoride and PFAS — the widest range of any filter type. The right choice if any city near you flags these.
Check Price on AmazonZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher
NSF 53 certified to reduce lead, chromium & dissolved solids — no installation, the cheapest way to start filtering today (great for renters).
Check Price on AmazonWe may earn a commission when you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Approximately 90% of Florida's drinking water comes from groundwater, primarily the Floridan Aquifer. Surface water from lakes and rivers supplements supply in some regions. Desalination is increasingly used in coastal communities facing saltwater intrusion. Springs throughout the state are fed by the same aquifer system.
These contaminants have been detected in various Florida water systems
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection oversees drinking water programs. The state has been addressing PFAS contamination near military installations and working to reduce nutrient pollution affecting springs and aquifers. Florida requires regular testing and reporting for all public water systems.
Residents in coastal areas should be aware of potential saltwater intrusion affecting their water supply. Areas with high septic tank density may have elevated nitrate levels. Some central Florida communities have naturally occurring radium that requires treatment. Hurricane damage and flooding can compromise water quality temporarily.
Floridians should understand their local water source and treatment processes. Reverse osmosis effectively addresses most Florida water quality concerns including sodium and radium. Carbon filters help with taste and chlorine removal. After hurricanes, follow boil water notices carefully and flush plumbing systems before resuming normal use.
Water quality in Florida varies by utility. EPA records give an average score of 77/100 across 87 graded cities, with 32 scoring below 70. We recommend checking your specific city's report and considering filtration if needed.
The most common water quality concerns in Florida include sodium and chloride (saltwater intrusion), nitrates (septic systems and agriculture), radium (naturally occurring). These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. With 32 Florida cities grading D or F on EPA records, residents in those areas may benefit from filtration. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in Florida are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in Florida water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in Florida. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual Florida city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
On EPA records, Ormond Beach has the highest water quality score in Florida at 100/100 (Grade A). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in Florida page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in Florida are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area