Okaloosa County, Florida: drinking water report. Okaloosa County – Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Destin – serves about 210,000 residents in the Florida…
Okaloosa County – Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Destin – serves about 210,000 residents in the Florida Panhandle. Water comes from the Sand and Gravel Aquifer and the Floridan Aquifer. The county is home to Eglin Air Force Base, one of the largest military installations in the world by area.
Eglin Air Force Base's massive footprint and extensive firefighting foam use make it a significant PFAS source. The Department of Defense has identified PFAS contamination at multiple locations across the installation. According to the Florida DEP's monitoring data, PFAS has been detected in public water system wells near Eglin, with some readings exceeding state screening levels.
UCMR5 data shows PFAS detections in county water systems. The Air Force has begun remediation at several Eglin sites, but the installation's size means cleanup will be a multi-decade effort.
Okaloosa County's PFAS exposure is driven primarily by Eglin AFB. Communities near the base face the highest documented contamination.
Check your water for data specific to your area. Reverse osmosis is the most effective household treatment for PFAS. Our water filter guide covers certified systems. Pull your detailed report, and visit our Florida page for statewide data.