Water quality · FL
Florida Water Quality (2026)
Last updated: June 2026
Hard water and disinfection byproducts are widespread; aquifer-fed utilities commonly test for elevated hardness and TTHM.
Our Florida coverage focuses on the 5 metros below. Each city page lists the utility's water source, hardness in grains per gallon, contaminants flagged above EWG's stricter health guideline, and the whole-house system that fits that specific profile, not a generic recommendation copied across the state.
Common contaminants flagged across Florida
Across the Florida cities we cover, these are the contaminants most often reported above EWG's health guideline. None exceed federal EPA legal limits.
- sulfur
- hardness
- disinfection byproducts
- radium
- PFAS
- Hardness
- Disinfection byproducts
Cities we cover in Florida
| City | Hardness | Flagged above EWG guideline | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 10-15 | sulfur, hardness, disinfection byproducts | Air-injection filter for sulfur plus softener |
| Miami | 6-10 | disinfection byproducts, radium, PFAS | Whole-house carbon plus POU RO for PFAS at the kitchen tap |
| Orlando | 12-20 | sulfur, hardness, disinfection byproducts | Softener with air-injection iron/sulfur reduction |
| St. Petersburg | - | disinfection byproducts | Softener + carbon |
| Tampa | Up to 17 (hard, seasonal) | Hardness, Disinfection byproducts | Softener + carbon filter |
Recommended systems for Florida
Most Florida homes benefit from a layered setup: whole-house carbon for chlorine and taste, a softener if your CCR shows hardness above 7 gpg, and a certified under-sink RO at the kitchen tap if lead, PFAS, nitrate or arsenic are flagged.
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Find your system →Florida water FAQ
+Is Florida tap water safe to drink?
Yes, by federal standards: the cities on this page all meet every EPA legal limit. The contaminants we flag sit above EWG's stricter, non-enforceable health guideline, which is the benchmark most homeowners use when deciding whether to filter further at home.
+Why is Florida water hard?
Hardness comes from calcium and magnesium picked up as water moves through local geology. In Florida, the values vary city by city, see the table above for your metro. Anything above 7 grains per gallon is considered hard and is where a softener starts to make a noticeable difference.
+Do I need a softener or a filter in Florida?
Different problems, different tools. A whole-house carbon filter handles chlorine, chloramine and taste. A softener handles scale from hard water. Many Florida homes benefit from both, and a kitchen-tap RO if lead, PFAS or nitrate appear on your CCR.
Sources: EWG; USGS