Florida Water Quality Report
Tap water quality data for 50 cities in Florida, updated 2026.
US average: 100 ppm
10 of 50 cities violation-free
50 cities tested
50 water systems tracked
Cleanest Tap Water in Florida
Cities with the fewest water quality issues
Lithia
475K served
Sarasota
350K served
Pensacola
305K served
Cocoa
294K served
Gainesville
200K served
Lake Buena Vista
137K served
Middleburg
128K served
The Villages
121K served
Palm Coast
117K served
Fort Walton Beach
104K served
Most Water Quality Issues in Florida
Cities with the most violations and concerns
Lakeland
272K served
Winter Haven
115K served
Brooksville
159K served
Ocala
135K served
Jensen Beach
107K served
Coral Springs
147K served
Ft Lauderdale
202K served
Tampa
1.0M served
New Port Richey
301K served
Clermont
107K served
Water Hardness Across Florida
Not sure what your hardness means? Use our Water Hardness Calculator or find the best hardness test kits.
Florida Tap Water: What You Need to Know
Florida has 50 tracked water utilities serving approximately 15.5M residents. The average water hardness is 240 ppm (14 GPG), classified as Very Hard — above the national average of 100 ppm. Hardness ranges from 4.1 ppm in Fort Walton Beach to 383 ppm in Miami Beach.
In the past 3 years, 40 of 50 cities in Florida have recorded water quality violations, totaling 2031 violations (45 health-based). All 50 tested cities have lead levels below the EPA action level of 15 ppb.
With very hard water on average, many Florida residents may notice mineral buildup on fixtures, dry skin, or stiff-feeling hair. A shower filter for hard water can help reduce chlorine exposure, while a water softener addresses the mineral buildup directly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Water
Is tap water safe to drink in Florida?
Most tap water in Florida meets EPA standards, but 40 cities have recorded violations in the past 3 years (45 health-based). We recommend checking your specific city's report on TapWater.org and considering a home water test.
How hard is the water in Florida?
Florida's average water hardness is 240 ppm (14 GPG), classified as Very Hard. This is above the national average of 100 ppm. Hardness varies significantly by city — use our Water Hardness Calculator to check your specific area.
Which city in Florida has the cleanest tap water?
Based on EPA violation data, lead testing, and water quality metrics, Lithia ranks as having the cleanest tap water in Florida. It has zero violations in the past 3 years and lead levels well below the EPA action level.
Which city in Florida has the most water quality issues?
Lakeland currently has the most water quality concerns in Florida, with 312 violations in the past 3 years. Residents should check their city's detailed water quality report and consider using a certified water filter.
Where does Florida get its water from?
The majority of Florida's water systems (10%) use surface water as their primary source. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Each city's specific source can vary — check individual city reports for details.
Largest Cities in Florida
The 16 biggest utilities by population served — hardness, lead status, and violations at a glance
Miami
Utility serves 2.3M
Orlando
Utility serves 1.2M
Tampa
Utility serves 1.0M
Jacksonville
Utility serves 912K
West Palm Beach
Utility serves 761K
Clearwater
Utility serves 621K
Lithia
Utility serves 475K
Bradenton
Utility serves 408K
Fort Myers
Utility serves 389K
Odessa
Utility serves 351K
Sarasota
Utility serves 350K
Pensacola
Utility serves 305K
New Port Richey
Utility serves 301K
Naples
Utility serves 299K
Cocoa
Utility serves 294K
Lakeland
Utility serves 272K
More Cities in Florida
All 50 covered cities, A–Z
- Belleview
- Boca Raton
- Boynton Beach
- Brooksville
- Cape Coral
- Clermont
- Coral Springs
- Fort Walton Beach
- Ft Lauderdale
- Gainesville
- Hialeah
- Hollywood
- Jensen Beach
- Kissimmee
- Lake Buena Vista
- Melbourne
- Miami Beach
- Middleburg
- Miramar
- North Miami Beach
- Ocala
- Palm Bay
- Palm Coast
- Pembroke Pines
- Pompano Beach
- Port Charlotte
- Port St Lucie
- Sanford
- St. Augustine
- Sunrise
- Tallahassee
- The Villages
- Vero Beach
- Winter Haven