Florida Water Quality Report

Tap water quality data for 50 cities in Florida, updated 2026.

Avg. Hardness: 240 ppm (Very Hard)40 cities with violationsAll cities below EPA lead limit
Avg. Hardness
240 ppm
Very Hard

US average: 100 ppm

Violations (3yr)
2031
45 health-based

10 of 50 cities violation-free

Lead Compliance
98%
Below EPA Limit

50 cities tested

Water Source
Surface Water
10% of systems

50 water systems tracked

Water Hardness Across Florida

Soft
6 (17%)
Moderate
4 (11%)
Hard
0 (0%)
Very Hard
26 (72%)
Hardest: Miami Beach (383 ppm)Softest: Fort Walton Beach (4.1 ppm)

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 Hardabove 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.

48 of 50 Cities

Sorted by population served

Miami

Utility serves 2.3M

Hardness383 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations35 (3yr)

Orlando

Utility serves 1.2M

Hardness374 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations39 (3yr)

Tampa

Utility serves 1.0M

Hardness190 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations83 (3yr)

Jacksonville

Utility serves 912K

Hardness21 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations28 (3yr)

West Palm Beach

Utility serves 761K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations6 (3yr)

Clearwater

Utility serves 621K

Hardness190 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations13 (3yr)

Lithia

Utility serves 475K

LeadBelow limit
ViolationsNone

Bradenton

Utility serves 408K

Hardness68.3 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations16 (3yr)

Fort Myers

Utility serves 389K

LeadBelow limit
Violations6 (3yr)

Odessa

Utility serves 351K

LeadBelow limit
Violations8 (3yr)

Sarasota

Utility serves 350K

LeadBelow limit
ViolationsNone

Pensacola

Utility serves 305K

Hardness12.8 ppm
LeadBelow limit
ViolationsNone

New Port Richey

Utility serves 301K

Hardness190 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations80 (3yr)

Naples

Utility serves 299K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations24 (3yr)

Cocoa

Utility serves 294K

Hardness360.5 ppm
LeadBelow limit
ViolationsNone

Lakeland

Utility serves 272K

LeadBelow limit
Violations312 (3yr)

Hialeah

Utility serves 238K

Hardness383 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations11 (3yr)

Port St Lucie

Utility serves 224K

Hardness60 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations25 (3yr)

Kissimmee

Utility serves 224K

Hardness240.5 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations46 (3yr)

Tallahassee

Utility serves 204K

Hardness41.2 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations24 (3yr)

Ft Lauderdale

Utility serves 202K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations85 (3yr)

Gainesville

Utility serves 200K

Hardness19.5 ppm
LeadBelow limit
ViolationsNone

Pembroke Pines

Utility serves 187K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations30 (3yr)

North Miami Beach

Utility serves 180K

Hardness383 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations7 (3yr)

Port Charlotte

Utility serves 174K

Hardness68.3 ppm
LeadAbove limit
Violations10 (3yr)

Cape Coral

Utility serves 173K

LeadBelow limit
Violations3 (3yr)

St. Augustine

Utility serves 172K

LeadBelow limit
Violations9 (3yr)

Pompano Beach

Utility serves 171K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations58 (3yr)

Melbourne

Utility serves 168K

Hardness360.5 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations6 (3yr)

Vero Beach

Utility serves 164K

Hardness60 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations30 (3yr)

Miramar

Utility serves 160K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations41 (3yr)

Brooksville

Utility serves 159K

Hardness190 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations210 (3yr)

Sunrise

Utility serves 152K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations37 (3yr)

Hollywood

Utility serves 148K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations37 (3yr)

Coral Springs

Utility serves 147K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations87 (3yr)

Palm Bay

Utility serves 141K

Hardness360.5 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations2 (3yr)

Lake Buena Vista

Utility serves 137K

Hardness374 ppm
LeadBelow limit
ViolationsNone

Ocala

Utility serves 135K

LeadBelow limit
Violations156 (3yr)

Boca Raton

Utility serves 130K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations7 (3yr)

Middleburg

Utility serves 128K

Hardness21 ppm
LeadBelow limit
ViolationsNone

The Villages

Utility serves 121K

LeadBelow limit
ViolationsNone

Palm Coast

Utility serves 117K

LeadBelow limit
ViolationsNone

Sanford

Utility serves 116K

Hardness360.5 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations23 (3yr)

Winter Haven

Utility serves 115K

LeadBelow limit
Violations256 (3yr)

Boynton Beach

Utility serves 113K

Hardness323 ppm
LeadBelow limit
Violations20 (3yr)

Jensen Beach

Utility serves 107K

LeadBelow limit
Violations99 (3yr)

Clermont

Utility serves 107K

LeadBelow limit
Violations39 (3yr)

Belleview

Utility serves 107K

LeadBelow limit
Violations9 (3yr)