Is Florida Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Are you wondering if Florida tap water is safe to drink? Yes, you can drink tap water in Florida, and the water is considered safe to drink.

Why is Florida Tap Water Safe to Drink? 

First of all, there is a federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA): “Protecting America’s drinking water is a top priority for EPA. EPA has established protective drinking water standards for more than 90 contaminants, including drinking water regulations issued since the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act that strengthen public health protection.  Over 92 percent of the population supplied by community water systems receives drinking water that meets all health-based standards all of the time.”

Luckily, the contaminants found in Florida’s tap water are typically lower than the MCLs (Maximum Contaminant Levels) set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Secondly, Florida also has Drinking Water Standards. The sunshine state has so-called: primary drinking water standards: They define the “Maximum Contaminant Levels and Maximum Residual Disinfectant Levels.” Check here for the details!

Why Might Florida Tap Water Not Be Safe to Drink?

The Environmental Working Group points out that  “The Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed new limits to tackle drinking water contamination from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. The proposal targets six notorious PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS and GenX.

The limits, known as maximum contaminant levels, or MCLs, are the highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. The MCLs announced are 4 parts per trillion, or ppt, for PFOA and 4 ppt for PFOS. For the other four PFAS the agency is proposing using a “hazard index” which is a tool used to address cumulative risks from mixtures of chemicals.”

So, what does that mean? It seems that there are different opinions about the safety of our drinking water quality in Florida. According to the EPA, Florida’s public water is safe to drink. According to the EWG, it might not be because the organizations seem to have different standards.

Here is an example of Water Quality on Sanibel Island:

According to the EWG’s drinking water quality report “results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO) for the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2021 – March 2021), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

But “legal does not necessarily equal safe. Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines. 5 contaminants detected in the sanibel tab water EXCEED EWG HEALTH GUIDELINES. T Arsenic was found 325 times above EWG’s Health Guideline.” So let’s take a closer look where the drinking water comes from!

Where Does the Tap Water in Florida Come From?

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida’s water supply comes from the bountiful systems of rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, springs, aquifers and estuaries across the state. 

Here is an example for the water on Sanibel Island: “The Island Water Association on Sanibel island utilizes 15 production wells that extract raw water from the Suwannee and Hawthorne aquifers. The wells, which range in depth from 500 to 900 feet, produce a brackish water that must be treated to become potable and wholesome for consumption.”

How Healthy is Florida’s Drinking Water Compared to Other States? 

According to US News Florida ranks in the top ten states for the best drinking water in the United States. Here is the list of the top ten states with the best drinking water quality:

1. Hawaii
2. Alabama
3. South Carolina
4. Tennessee 
5. Massachusetts
6. Georgia
7. Mississippi
8. Florida
9. Ohio
10. Minnesota

Best Tasting Drinking Water in Florida

In Florida The American Water Works Association is regularly doing a contest to find the best tasting drinking water in the sunshine state. Here are the results of the previous two contests.

2022 Regional Winners

Region I City of Tallahassee 

Region II JEA

Region III Seminole County

Region IV Polk County

Region V Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc

Region VI Seacoast Utility Authority

Region VII Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority

Region VIII Martin County Utilities

Region IX South Walton Utilities

Region X City of Punta Gorda

Region XI City of Belleview

Region XII City of Lynn Haven

2019 Regional Winners

Region I Talquin Electric Cooperative Meadows Regional Water System

Region II City of Palm Coast

Region III Seminole County

Region IV City of Wildwood

Region V Collier County Public Utilities

Region VI City of Ft. Lauderdale

Region VII Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department

Region VIII Seminole Indian Tribe

Region IX Auburn Water

Region X Charlotte County

Region XI City of Ocala

Region XII Bay County Utilities 

Tap Water Quality in the Major Cities in Florida

Miami

Tap water provided by Miami Dade Water and Sewer Authority was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

An EWG Water Quality Report of Miami Dade County assessed in Q1 2021 found a total of 24 contaminants in the County’s water, with 8 contaminants that exceed the EQG’s health guidelines. 

The biggest issues with the contaminants in Miami’s water are:

• Arsenic: The EWG’s Miami report detected 243x the amount of arsenic than the EWG’s health guideline. 
• Haloacetic acids (HAA5) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Miami report detected 286x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.
• Haloacetic acids (HAA9) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Miami report detected 627x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.

Orlando

Tap water provided by Orlando Utilities Commission was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

An EWG Water Quality Report of Orlando assessed in Q1 2021 found a total of 16 contaminants in the County’s water, with 5 contaminants that exceed the EQG’s health guidelines. 

The biggest issues with the contaminants in Orlando’s water are:

• Haloacetic acids (HAA5) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Orlando report detected 192x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.
• Haloacetic acids (HAA9) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Orlando report detected 544x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.
• Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Orlando report detected 384x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.

Jacksonville

Tap water provided by Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA Major Grid) was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

An EWG Water Quality Report of Jacksonville assessed in Q1 2021 found a total of 28 contaminants in the County’s water, with 5 contaminants that exceed the EQG’s health guidelines. 

The biggest issues with the contaminants in Jacksonville’s water are:

• Haloacetic acids (HAA5) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Jacksonville report detected 192x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.
• Haloacetic acids (HAA9) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Jacksonville report detected 374x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.
• Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Jacksonville report detected 409x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.

Tampa

Tap water provided by the City of Tampa Water Department was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

An EWG Water Quality Report of Tampa assessed in Q1 2021 found a total of 18 contaminants in the City’s water, with 6 contaminants that exceed the EQG’s health guidelines. 

The biggest issues with the contaminants in Tampa’s water are:

• Arsenic: The EWG’s Tampa report detected 198x the amount of arsenic than the EWG’s health guideline.
• Haloacetic acids (HAA5) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Tampa report detected 134x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.
• Haloacetic acids (HAA9) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Tampa report detected 254x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.
• Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s Tampa report detected 122x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.

St. Petersburg

Tap water provided by the City of St. Petersburg was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

An EWG Water Quality Report of St. Petersburg assessed in Q1 2021 found a total of 15 contaminants in the City’s water, with 5 contaminants that exceed the EQG’s health guidelines. 

The biggest issues with the contaminants in St. Petersburg water are:

• Arsenic: The EWG’s St. Petersburg report detected 19x the amount of arsenic than the EWG’s health guideline.
• Haloacetic acids (HAA5) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s St. Petersburg report detected 189x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.
• Haloacetic acids (HAA9) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s St. Petersburg report detected 375x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.
• Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) (potential Effect: cancer) The EWG’s St. Petersburg report detected 109x more than the EWG’S HEALTH GUIDELINE.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tap Water in Florida

Will Florida’s Drinking Water be able to meet all of the growing needs of Floridians in the future?

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection “Florida’s current freshwater supply is projected to be unable to meet all of the growing needs of Floridians in the future. Water resource managers therefore use water conservation and alternative water supply sources to augment the traditional water supply sources. Some of these alternative water supply sources include but are not limited to:

• Reclaimed water
• Brackish groundwater
• Desalination of seawater”

Why Does Florida Water Taste Different?

Many visitors to Florida find that Florida water tastes considerably different than their water at home. But what is the reason?

Some people say that there are a number of contaminants (like sulfur, copper, iron, metals, manganese, chloramine, and chlorine) in Florida’s water that contribute to poor taste (and smell). Here are the most common taste complaints about Florida’s water:

• a metallic taste, 
• a taste of chemicals, 
• a rotten egg taste/odor,
• a salty taste.

Others say that the drinking water in Florida tastes different because municipalities often use chemicals to treat their water. For example, chloride gives water a salty taste. Chloramine gives water a bleachy taste. 

Furthermore, a salty taste in water is usually due to the presence of naturally occurring sodium, magnesium, and/or potassium. If you are in a coastal area and your well water has a salty taste, salt water from the ocean may be intruding into the freshwater supply

According to the Florida Department of Health “certain “sulfur bacteria” in the groundwater, in the well water itself, or in the plumbing system can create this gas that smells bad. Chemical reactions inside water heaters can also produce sulfur bacteria. In rare cases, pollution can cause the gas to form. Sulfur bacteria are not harmful.”

Why is Florida Tap Water Yellow?

Have you noticed that your tap water has a yellow tinge? There can be different reasons.

Yellow water can be caused by several contaminants, and the most common cause is dissolved organic materials. Furthermore, chlorination can also cause yellow-tinged drinking water. Yellow drinking water is generally considered safe.

Yellow water can also be caused by rust. Rusty water occurs from sediment in the pipes or rust from the inside walls of the supply lines. If your water is discolored, flush three or four cold water taps for about 5 to 10 minutes at top pressure. If it is not clear, wait another hour and try again.

Is the Tap Water in Florida Fluoridated?

Yes. The majority of Florida’s drinking water is fluoridated. “In 2019, 78.1% of Floridians served by community water systems received fluoridated water. Since 1949 when Gainesville became the first community to initiate water fluoridation, the State of Florida trend has increased steadily to include more and more families gaining access and benefitting from the protective properties of optimally fluoridated water.”

Check here to see which county in Florida has fluoridated drinking water.

Do I have to boil my water in Florida?

Generally speaking, no. But A precautionary boil water notice will be issued in Florida in cases where confirmatory water samples indicate the presence of fecal coliform bacteria, E. coli, or other waterborne pathogens. There are a number of reasons why the state requires boil water notices. This includes: hurricanes, Flooding of Wells, Low Water Pressures and more.

Is it Better to Drink Bottled Water if you Live in Florida?

Unfortunately “more than a third of Floridians have reported bottled water as their primary source of drinking water That means one out of every three Floridians either believes that Florida water tastes bad, is not safe, or bottled water is a better alternative.”

But what do we know about the quality of bottled water? Check here how to learn: “WHAT IS THE BEST WATER TO DRINK?”

A Word from healthylifestyleflorida.com

We hope you enjoyed our article “Is Florida tap water safe to drink?” Since there are different definitions of what is considered safe, it is important that we all make our own decisions. We believe that especially people with a weak immune systems should invest more time to check their options.

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