Brevard County, Florida: drinking water report. Brevard County runs along Florida's central east coast – the Space Coast – home to about 620,000 residents.
Brevard County runs along Florida's central east coast – the Space Coast – home to about 620,000 residents. Multiple utilities serve the county, with the City of Melbourne, City of Cocoa, and Brevard County Utilities among the largest. Water comes primarily from the Floridan Aquifer, supplemented by the Upper Floridan and surficial aquifers. The county's proximity to the Indian River Lagoon and Kennedy Space Center creates a unique environmental context.
Brevard County's groundwater is naturally hard and carries hydrogen sulfide in some wells, requiring aeration and treatment. The Floridan Aquifer here also contains naturally occurring radium in some areas, and several county systems have had to treat for gross alpha radiation.
UCMR5 data shows PFAS detections in county water systems. Patrick Space Force Base (formerly Patrick Air Force Base) and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are both confirmed PFAS sources from AFFF use. According to the Florida DEP's 2024 monitoring data, seven public water systems in Brevard County reported PFAS above detection thresholds.
PFAS from space and military operations is the defining concern on the Space Coast. Communities near Patrick SFB and the Cape face the most documented contamination.
Check your water for data specific to your provider and ZIP code. Reverse osmosis handles PFAS, radium, and hardness. Our water filter guide covers which systems are certified for the specific contaminants found here. Pull your detailed report, and visit our Florida page for statewide context.