Florida water contamination data covering PFAS levels in 500+ cities. Military bases, agricultural runoff, and what your ZIP code shows.
Florida's water story starts underground. The Floridan Aquifer – one of the most productive aquifer systems in the world – supplies drinking water to the majority of the state's approximately 22.6 million residents. This massive limestone aquifer underlies the entire state and parts of adjacent states, providing the base supply for cities from Jacksonville to Miami, Tampa to Orlando. Surface water supplements the supply in some areas, particularly in South Florida where the Biscayne Aquifer (a shallower system connected to the Everglades) serves the Miami metro.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) oversees drinking water quality for approximately 5,400 public water systems. The state's flat topography, porous limestone geology, and high water table create a situation where contaminants on the surface can reach drinking water sources quickly. Florida's karst geology – the same dissolving limestone that creates sinkholes – means the aquifer is less protected from surface contamination than deeper, more isolated aquifer systems in other states.
Tourism, agriculture, and rapid population growth compound the challenge. Florida is the third most populous state and one of the fastest growing. New development over the aquifer recharge zones raises ongoing concerns about contamination pathways. According to FDEP data, Florida issues more boil-water notices annually than most states, often related to infrastructure failures during hurricanes and tropical storms.
The EPA's UCMR5 monitoring has confirmed PFAS detections at numerous public water systems across Florida. The state's combination of military installations, commercial airports, industrial facilities, and landfills creates multiple contamination vectors. PFAS has been detected in groundwater, surface water, and finished drinking water at locations throughout the state.
Florida has been developing its PFAS regulatory framework. FDEP established provisional cleanup target levels for PFOA and PFOS at 70 ppt (combined) for groundwater, and has been evaluating whether to adopt state-specific drinking water MCLs beyond the federal standards. The 2024 federal MCLs of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS now apply to Florida's public water systems.
The Floridan Aquifer's vulnerability is a defining factor. Because the aquifer is relatively shallow and sits in porous limestone, PFAS from surface sources can reach drinking water wells faster than in states with deeper, more protected aquifers. This geological reality means that contamination sites in Florida pose a more immediate threat to water supplies.
Florida has among the highest concentrations of military PFAS contamination in the country, with at least four major installations showing confirmed contamination:
MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa has confirmed PFAS in groundwater from AFFF use. The base sits on a peninsula in Tampa Bay, and contamination has been detected in monitoring wells on and near the installation. MacDill's proximity to Tampa's population center raises concerns about plume migration toward municipal supply wells.
Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) is one of the Navy's largest air stations and has decades of AFFF use history. PFAS has been confirmed in groundwater around the base, and the Navy has been working with FDEP on investigation and monitoring. Jacksonville's reliance on the Floridan Aquifer means contamination at NAS Jax has direct implications for the city's water supply.
Naval Air Station Pensacola in the Florida Panhandle has documented PFAS contamination from firefighting foam. The base, which includes the famous Blue Angels flight demonstration area, has used AFFF extensively. Surrounding communities have been monitored for PFAS exposure.
Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City was heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael in 2018 and has confirmed PFAS contamination. The storm's destruction complicated remediation efforts, as damaged infrastructure may have released additional contamination.
Homestead Air Reserve Base south of Miami has also been flagged for PFAS investigation. The base sits above the Biscayne Aquifer, which supplies drinking water to much of Miami-Dade County.
The Department of Defense has acknowledged PFAS contamination at these and other Florida installations. Given the aquifer's vulnerability, the stakes for cleanup are higher here than in states with more protected groundwater. Our military bases page tracks the current status of each site.
Florida's regulatory approach to PFAS has been evolving. FDEP has established provisional cleanup target levels for groundwater and is participating in the federal MCL implementation process. The state has conducted targeted PFAS investigations at military bases, airports, and industrial sites beyond what UCMR5 requires.
Under UCMR5, Florida's public water systems tested for 29 PFAS compounds, and results have revealed detections spread across the state – not just near military bases. Landfills, fire training facilities, and wastewater treatment plants have been identified as additional PFAS sources.
According to FDEP's Division of Water Resource Management, approximately 2.5 million Florida residents rely on private wells, concentrated in rural areas and unincorporated communities. These wells are not subject to PFAS testing requirements. In a state where the aquifer is shallow and permeable, private well owners near any potential PFAS source face exposure risk without routine monitoring.
Florida's hurricane exposure adds another layer. Major storms can damage water treatment infrastructure, flood contamination sites, and spread contaminants across the landscape. Post-hurricane water quality monitoring has become a regular part of the state's emergency response framework.
For background on PFAS science and health research, see our PFAS guide.
Florida's porous geology means your water quality can change based on what is happening at the surface above your aquifer. Proximity to military bases, airports, landfills, and industrial facilities all matter.
1. Check your ZIP code at the homepage to see PFAS and other monitoring data for your water system. We compile UCMR5, FDEP, and utility data to give you the most complete view available. 2. If you are near MacDill AFB, NAS Jacksonville, NAS Pensacola, Tyndall AFB, or Homestead ARB, monitoring your water quality closely is important. A reverse osmosis filter is the most effective household PFAS treatment – our water filter guide details which systems are certified. 3. If you are on a private well anywhere in Florida, PFAS testing is worth considering given the aquifer's vulnerability. Tests cost $200-400 through certified labs. 4. Request a detailed water report for your address to see multi-year trends and how your area compares to state and federal standards.
Florida's aquifer is a remarkable resource – and a remarkably exposed one. Check your specific location to see what the data shows for your part of the state.