Is Florida Tap Water Safe To Drink In 2024: What Does Research Say?

Florida ranks as the 2nd worst state in the United States in terms of SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act).

So, the question is: Is Florida Tap Water Safe To Drink?

However, these limits are considered “inadequate and outdated” by the EWG (Environmental Working Group) organization, an influential NGO working on the research of drinking water pollutants.

If you are already confused about this EPA vs. EWG conflict on the city’s tap water, then simply follow along.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the source of Florida water, the contaminants found in the water, and the ways to detect the contaminants through smell and taste. We will also guide you on what to do when you detect poor water taste. 

Here we go!

What is the Source of Florida’s Tap Water, and Why Is It So Prone To Contamination?

Unlike most other US states that receive surface water, Florida sources 92% of its tap water from groundwater wells. The freshwater is collected between the aquifers – the underground layers of rock built of porous limestone.  

This easy contamination in groundwater is the result of a thin soil layer, high water table, quick increase in population, porous limestone, and heavy rainfall. 

Some other sources of contamination are:

Bacteria can easily make their way through poorly maintained water pipelines.

Also Read: 7 Ways To Maintain A Healthy Urinary System

What Are The Various Contaminants Found In Florida’s Tap Water?

Despite the continuous efforts made by the government to provide cleaner water, there are some contaminants of concern that are still found in most water utilities in Florida. 

In order to get the actual data on chemical impurities found in Florida, We dug deep into the EWG’s tap water database.

Below is the list of chemical contaminants that we found through the data: 

1️⃣ Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

TTHMs are a group of Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform. It is formed when chlorine (water disinfectant) is combined with other disinfectants or organic materials. Therefore, water with high-chlorine content is prone to TTHMs. 

Tap water in most states is safe to drink due to the below-limit amount of TTHMs. However, a few utilities have been found to have an over-limit amount, which is considered unsafe drinking water.

After California, Texas, and New York, Florida ranks fourth regarding how many TTHMs are reported in the water source. 

Also Read: How To Remove Chlorine In Tap Water

2️⃣ Haloacetic acids (HAA5 and HAA9)

HAAs are a byproduct of the chlorine-based disinfection process, where chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic material. A HAA5 variant is a group of five acids, and the HAA9 is a group of nine acids. 

Fortunately, the group of nine acids (HAA9) has never been found above safe levels in drinkable tap water. But, there are a few cases where HAA5 has been found above the advisory level.

Don’t worry! Filtration techniques—RO and activated carbon systems—can quickly reduce these chemicals in drinking water.

After California and Texas, Florida grabs the third position regarding how much HAA5 and HAA9 are reportedly available in the water. 

3️⃣ Radium, combined (-226 & -228)

Radium is another common contaminant of concern in the public water system of Florida. So, you might wonder what radium is beyond its chemistry definition. 

Unfortunately, Florida sits in the second position, only after Texas, in terms of radium content in faucet water. As per the EWG data, 148 million people have been served radium-infected water.

There are some methods to remove radium from your water utility. You can install:

4️⃣ Nitrate

Nitrate is a common chemical impurity present in water, especially in agricultural areas. The causes of Nitrate pollution include:

Potentially, nitrate water can result in problems during pregnancy and baby development. Not only this, but it can also cause hypothyroidism in women along with cancer. As per the latest estimates, nearly 237 million people have been served water with detectable nitrate.

Also Read: Hydroviv vs Frizzlife vs Epic

5️⃣ Arsenic and Chromium-6

Perhaps everyone has heard of the chemical impurities: Arsenic and Chromium (hexavalent). These are pretty common in the United States and are detected in all 50 states.

These reach the water through natural, industrial and agricultural sources, maybe through mining or poor wastewater management. It reaches the soil and water and eventually affects the water quality. Reportedly, 108 million people have been served arsenic in drinking water so far.

Whereas, Chromium-6 water has been served to 251 million people. EPA’s survey disclosed that three-fourths of water tested had Chromium-6 concentrations. 

Therefore, it is advisable to get your water tested to take early precautions. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems can reduce the arsenic levels in the water.

Also Read: Phoenix Tap Water Tested 

6️⃣ Chlorate 

Chlorate is another disinfection byproduct with potentially harmful health impacts during pregnancy and childhood. It is naturally made when chlorine, a disinfectant, reacts with organic matter. 

This contaminant has been found in all 50 states, and the contaminant-filled water has been served to 208 million people so far. 

7️⃣ Uranium 

Uranium is a common contaminant of concern. It is considered a carcinogen and can also damage the kidney. It has been detected in 45 states of the United States. 

Over 135 million utilities reportedly supply Uranium-contaminated water to around 3 million people. After California and Texas, Florida is ranked third in terms of the number of people served with Uranium. 

8️⃣ Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)

PFOS is a fluorinated organic chemical widely used in consumer products, like non-stick utensils, and food wrappers, among many others. 

This contaminant has been detected in 28 states of America and can potentially cause cancer, hormone disruption, liver and immune system damage, and harm to child development. 

To reduce the concentration of these harmful toxins, you can install water filters with an activated carbon filter or a reverse osmosis system. 

Why Is Florida Tap Water So Bad In Taste, Smell, And Appearance?

There can be many reasons behind experiencing a bad taste or smell from your tap water. Since smell and taste are subjective, we can not list a single reason for everybody’s experience. 

But, we can help you figure out the causes by telling you the taste of common contaminants. So, here you go: 

Contaminant	Taste
High TDS	Harsh/salty
High Chlorine	Salty/swimming pool taste
High concentration of iron, zinc, magnesium, or other heavy metals	Metallic taste
Sulfur	Rotten egg
High pH	Bleachy
Low pH	Bitter/metallic

Apart from this, you may experience a dirty, fishy, or algae-like smell from your tap water; this can be due to untreated water. 

A foul odor can be due to several reasons.

Your tap water may look odd again due to a variety of reasons.

What To Do If You Find Your Florida’s Tap Water Tastes Weird?

Firstly, it is highly advised to stop drinking water with poor taste. It would be best to immediately get your water quality tested at any certified private laboratory. The results will tell you the exact cause of the poor taste. 

Around two years ago, I faced exposure to arsenic in my house’s tap water. After getting my water quality checked, I installed an ion exchange filtration system, and luckily, the water became cleaner, tastier, and healthier.

What Are The Other US Cities With Poor Water Quality?

⭐ Flint, Michigan (Genesee Township)

Genesee Township sources its drinking water from purchased surface water and serves around 8000 people. It has been found, by the EWG data, that a total of 16 contaminants were detected from the testing.

Out of this, ten chemical contaminants exceeded the limit. 

The top contaminants which exceeded the guidelines are bromodichloromethane, bromochloroacetic acid, Haloacetic acid (HAA5 and HAA9), TTHMs, and radium. Some of these have crossed the limit by 150 to 378 times. 

⭐ Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania American Water Pittsburgh)

Pennsylvania American Water Pittsburgh sources its water from the surface water and serves nearly seven hundred thousand people. The EWG reports show that 21 contaminants have been detected in the tap water. Out of these, 11 have exceeded the limits laid down by EWG. 

⭐ Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Milwaukee Waterworks)

Milwaukee Waterworks sources water from surface water and serves more than six hundred thousand people. As per the EWG report, 30 contaminants have been detected, out of which 15 exceed the EWG health guidelines. 

Out of the 15 contaminants that exceeded the guidelines, arsenic, TTHMs, Haloacetic acids, and radium have been on the top. More than half of the contaminants have cancer risk in common. 

⭐ Miami (Miami Dade County)

Miami Dade Water and Sewer authority sources its water underground and serves more than 2 million people. The EWG data reports that 24 contaminants have been detected. Out of which, eight have exceeded the set limit. 

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