Florida Water Quality Report 2026

16 cities6,412,766 residentsUpdated March 2026

B78.8/100State Average
Florida has 16 cities in our database, serving approximately 6,412,766 residents. The average PurityMap score is 78.8/100 (Grade: B), which is 0.9 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Jacksonville has the cleanest water (82/100) while Tallahassee scores lowest (67/100) due to PFAS detected.
Is Florida Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Safe — Filtration Recommended

Florida tap water is safe — filtration recommended based on our analysis of 16 water systems serving 6,412,766 residents. The average PurityMap score is 78.8/100 (Grade: B), which is 0.9 points above the national average.

  • PFAS detected in 1 of 16 cities (6%). Forever chemicals require reverse osmosis filtration.
  • 7 cities (44%) have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG) which causes scale buildup and appliance damage.
  • 16 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
Our Recommendation

We recommend an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking water in PFAS-affected areas of Florida. RO removes 99%+ of PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. For hard water cities, add a whole-house softener.

All 16 cities in Florida meet EPA federal drinking water standards as of 2026. However, EPA standards set legal limits — not health goals. Many contaminants are detected at levels that are legal but may still pose long-term health risks according to independent health organizations like the EWG.
Florida at a Glance
78.8Avg Purity Score
7Avg Hardness (GPG)
Hard
1Cities with PFAS
7Cities with Hard Water
2.2Avg Lead (ppb)
284Avg TDS (ppm)

Florida is 0.9 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 0.7 GPG above the US average of 6.3 GPG.

Best & Worst Water in Florida
Cleanest

Jacksonville

82/100

Source: Floridan Aquifer groundwater

Most Concerns

Tallahassee

67/100

PFAS detected

Cities with Most Water Concerns in Florida

Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.

RankCityScoreHardnessLeadKey Issues
1Tallahassee 67/1003.4 GPG1.5 ppbPFAS (1.8 ppt)
2Miami 73/10011.5 GPG3.0 ppbVery Hard (11.5 GPG)
3Hialeah 73/10011.5 GPG3.0 ppbVery Hard (11.5 GPG)
4Tampa 78/1008.5 GPG2.5 ppbHard (8.5 GPG)
5Fort Lauderdale 78/10010.2 GPG2.5 ppbHard (10.2 GPG)
6Pembroke Pines 78/10010.0 GPG2.5 ppbHard (10.0 GPG)
7Hollywood 78/10010.2 GPG2.5 ppbHard (10.2 GPG)
8Clearwater 79/1007.2 GPG2.0 ppbHard (7.2 GPG)
9Jacksonville 82/1005.6 GPG2.0 ppbHardness 5.6 GPG, Lead 2.0 ppb, TDS 230 ppm
10Orlando 82/1004.4 GPG1.8 ppbHardness 4.4 GPG
Score Distribution

How Florida's 16 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:

Excellent (85–100)
0 cities
Good (70–84)
15 cities
Moderate (60–69)
1 city
Poor (below 60)
0 cities
Largest Cities in Florida — Water Quality

Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.

















CityPopulationScoreHardnessKey Issues
Miami2.7M 73/10011.5 GPGVery Hard
Jacksonville950K 82/1005.6 GPG—
Tampa400K 78/1008.5 GPGHard
Orlando309K 82/1004.4 GPG—
St. Petersburg265K 82/1006.4 GPG—
Hialeah223K 73/10011.5 GPGVery Hard
Port St. Lucie218K 82/1004.8 GPG—
Tallahassee196K 67/1003.4 GPGPFAS
Cape Coral194K 82/1005.8 GPG—
Fort Lauderdale180K 78/10010.2 GPGHard
Pembroke Pines171K 78/10010.0 GPGHard
Hollywood155K 78/10010.2 GPGHard
Gainesville134K 82/1003.2 GPG—
Clearwater117K 79/1007.2 GPGHard
Lakeland116K 82/1004.0 GPG—
Fort Myers84K 82/1005.5 GPG—
Hard Water in Florida

7 of 16 cities (44%) in Florida have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG). Miami has the hardest at 11.5 GPG. Cities: Miami, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Tampa, Clearwater. A water softener is recommended.

Hard Water Guide Softener Solutions
PFAS in Florida Water

PFAS have been detected in 1 of 16 cities (6%) in Florida. Highest: Tallahassee at 1.8 ppt. Affected: Tallahassee. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.

PFAS Guide RO for PFAS
Lead in Florida Water

All Florida cities have lead below 5 ppb. Average: 2.2 ppb. Individual homes with older plumbing may have higher levels.

Water Sources in Florida

Where Florida gets its drinking water, based on 16 water systems.




Source TypeCities% of Total
Groundwater1275%
Surface Water319%
Mixed (Ground + Surface)16%
Recommended Filter for Florida

Florida has both PFAS (1 cities) and hard water (7 cities). RO for drinking water + softener for whole house.

All Florida Cities — Ranked
#CityPop.ScoreHardnessLeadPFASTDS
1Tallahassee196K 67/1003.4 GPG (Soft)1.5 ppb⚠️ Yes (1.8 ppt)145 ppm
2Miami2.7M 73/10011.5 GPG (Very Hard)3.0 ppb✅ No470 ppm
3Hialeah223K 73/10011.5 GPG (Very Hard)3.0 ppb✅ No470 ppm
4Fort Lauderdale180K 78/10010.2 GPG (Hard)2.5 ppb✅ No420 ppm
5Pembroke Pines171K 78/10010.0 GPG (Hard)2.5 ppb✅ No410 ppm
6Hollywood155K 78/10010.2 GPG (Hard)2.5 ppb✅ No420 ppm
7Tampa400K 78/1008.5 GPG (Hard)2.5 ppb✅ No350 ppm
8Clearwater117K 79/1007.2 GPG (Hard)2.0 ppb✅ No290 ppm
9Cape Coral194K 82/1005.8 GPG (Moderate)2.0 ppb✅ No200 ppm
10St. Petersburg265K 82/1006.4 GPG (Moderate)2.2 ppb✅ No260 ppm
11Jacksonville950K 82/1005.6 GPG (Moderate)2.0 ppb✅ No230 ppm
12Orlando309K 82/1004.4 GPG (Moderate)1.8 ppb✅ No180 ppm
13Port St. Lucie218K 82/1004.8 GPG (Moderate)1.8 ppb✅ No195 ppm
14Gainesville134K 82/1003.2 GPG (Soft)1.5 ppb✅ No140 ppm
15Fort Myers84K 82/1005.5 GPG (Moderate)2.0 ppb✅ No190 ppm
16Lakeland116K 82/1004.0 GPG (Moderate)1.8 ppb✅ No170 ppm
Water Utilities in Florida

Florida has 14 utilities. Major: JEA Jacksonville Electric Authority, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, Tampa Bay Water and City of Tampa, City of Orlando Utilities Commission, City of St. Petersburg Water Resources.

Sources: Floridan Aquifer groundwater, Biscayne Aquifer, Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay desalination, Cross-Bar Ranch Wellfield, Floridan Aquifer.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has the best water in Florida?
Jacksonville scores highest at 82/100. Source: Floridan Aquifer groundwater.
Which city has the worst water in Florida?
Tallahassee scores lowest at 67/100 due to PFAS detected.
Is Florida water hard or soft?
Average hardness: 7.0 GPG (Hard). 0.7 GPG above the US average of 6.3 GPG. 7 of 16 cities have hard/very hard water.
Has PFAS been found in Florida water?
PFAS have been detected in 1 of 16 cities (6%) in Florida. Highest: Tallahassee at 1.8 ppt. Affected: Tallahassee. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.
What water filter should I use in Florida?
Florida has both PFAS (1 cities) and hard water (7 cities). RO for drinking water + softener for whole house.
How does Florida water compare to the US average?
Score: 78.8/100 (0.9 points above US avg 77.9). Hardness: 7.0 GPG (0.7 GPG above US avg 6.3).
Where does Florida get its drinking water?Where does Florida get its drinking water?
Florida water comes from: Groundwater: 12 cities (75%), Surface Water: 3 cities (19%), Mixed (Ground + Surface): 1 cities (6%).
Data Sources & Methodology
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
  • USGS regional water monitoring data

PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.

How we analyze water Data sources
All Florida Cities with Water Reports

16 city water quality reports available for Florida.

16 Reports
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