Florida Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Florida, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has the highest PFAS in Florida at 220.1 ppt (55x the EPA limit). Bal Harbour Village has the highest lead at 1,160 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Florida
Public water systems in Florida with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emerald Coast Utilities Authority | Pensacola · 242,172 served | 220.1 | 12 | 55x |
| 2 | Mdwasa - Main System | Miami · 2,377,460 served | 190 | 11 | 48x |
| 3 | North Bay Village, City Of | North Bay Village · 8,317 served | 135.7 | 11 | 34x |
| 4 | Hialeah, City Of | Hialeah · 238,000 served | 91.1 | 11 | 23x |
| 5 | Miami Beach, City Of | Miami Beach · 100,000 served | 89 | 9 | 22x |
| 6 | Bal Harbour Village | Bal Harbour · 3,209 served | 84 | 10 | 21x |
| 7 | Orangewood Water System | Holiday · 6,464 served | 80.8 | 9 | 20x |
| 8 | Pompano Beach, City Of | Pompano Beach · 99,400 served | 62 | 9 | 16x |
| 9 | Lake Panasoffkee Water Assn 2wps | Lake Panasoffkee · 4,642 served | 53 | 8 | 13x |
| 10 | Fkaa J. Robert Dean W.T.P. | Key West · 86,000 served | 50.3 | 4 | 13x |
| 11 | North Miami, City Of | North Miami · 89,349 served | 45 | 9 | 11x |
| 12 | Ocala, City Of (2 Wtps) | Ocala · 66,270 served | 42 | 9 | 11x |
Highest Lead Levels in Florida
Community water systems in Florida with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bal Harbour Village | Bal Harbour · 3,209 served | 1,160 | 77.3x over |
| 2 | Rainbow Lakes Estates | Belleview · 1,823 served | 490 | 32.7x over |
| 3 | Highland Beach Water Plant | Highland Beach · 4,287 served | 92 | 6.1x over |
| 4 | Citrus Park Rv Resort (Bonita Terra) | Fort Myers · 3,282 served | 52.8 | 3.5x over |
| 5 | Chipley, City Of | Chipley · 3,660 served | 35 | 2.3x over |
| 6 | Reception And Medical Center | Tallahassee · 3,000 served | 23.4 | 1.6x over |
| 7 | Seminole Improvement District | Westlake · 4,993 served | 22 | 1.5x over |
| 8 | Northeast Florida State Hospital | Macclenny · 1,800 served | 22 | 1.5x over |
| 9 | Lake Griffin Isles Mhp (2 Wtps) | Scottsdale · 1,212 served | 21.6 | 1.4x over |
| 10 | Englewood Water Dist | Englewood · 38,265 served | 21 | 1.4x over |
| 11 | Little Gasparilla Water Utility Inc | Placida · 1,305 served | 20.9 | 1.4x over |
| 12 | Nas Saufley Field | Pensacola · 1,728 served | 20 | 1.3x over |
Most EPA Violations in Florida
Community water systems in Florida with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R. C. Willis Wtp (City Of Palatka) | Palatka · 11,900 served | 53 |
| 2 | Apalachicola, City Of | Apalachicola · 5,235 served | 41 |
| 3 | Rpuma | Crescent City · 1,000 served | 40 |
| 4 | Marion Correctional Institution | Ocala · 2,700 served | 29 |
| 5 | Lake Hamilton, Town Of | Lake Hamilton · 2,430 served | 27 |
| 6 | Buttonwood Bay Mhp | Southfield · 2,000 served | 23 |
| 7 | Lake Utility Services Inc North (8 Wps) | Altamonte Springs · 24,798 served | 21 |
| 8 | Americana Village | Miami · 2,100 served | 20 |
| 9 | City Of Perry | Perry · 7,281 served | 19 |
| 10 | Wakulla Regional (Aka Gulf Coast) | Quincy · 10,637 served | 16 |
| 11 | Riviera Beach Utility District, City Of | Riviera Beach · 46,762 served | 16 |
| 12 | Winter Springs, City Of (3 Wps) | Orlando · 34,657 served | 14 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Florida?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Emerald Coast Utilities Authority in Pensacola had the highest recorded PFAS level in Florida at 220.1 ppt - about 55x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Florida water system has the highest lead levels?
Bal Harbour Village in Bal Harbour had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Florida under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 1,160 ppb - 77.3x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Florida water system has the most EPA violations?
R. C. Willis Wtp (City Of Palatka) in Palatka has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Florida, with 53 violations.
Where does the Florida water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Florida Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Florida water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.