Is Fort Lauderdale tap water safe?

We don't give a safe or unsafe verdict. Here is what the public records show for City of Fort Lauderdale: 1 of 19 detected contaminants were above the health guidelines we use (2018-2023), no health-based violations were recorded since July 1, 2021 (EPA SDWIS), and the Water Score is 87/100. These records can be one to three years old and may not reflect the water at your tap. Its PFOA or PFOS results averaged above 4.0 ppt, the level EPA set in 2024 (not yet enforceable). Details are in the full report. Our systems aren't certified for PFAS. That isn't a clean bill of health or a health finding. EPA's national files don't hold sample results for most regulated contaminants. For health questions, ask your utility or your doctor.

33316 Fort Lauderdale water quality

Data updated October 24, 2026

Water Score · Strong

Fort Lauderdale

ZIP 33316

Based on EPA SDWA, EPA UCMR and Florida DEP data, 2018-2023. Based on public utility data, not a test of your tap. Not medical advice.

Drinking glasses with cloudy spots — **Spots on glasses**

A faucet crusted with white buildup — **Crusty faucets**

Shower glass with a cloudy film — **Film on the shower**

A glass of tap water at a kitchen sink — **Tastes like a pool**

These show common South Florida water issues.

Arsenic113× the health guideline

Bars use a log scale. Source: EPA SDWA, EPA UCMR and Florida DEP data

About ZIP 33316

Ranked #86 of 286 Florida ZIP codes by Water Score, as of October 24, 2026. Ranked #20 of 88 Broward County ZIP codes by Water Score, as of October 24, 2026.

Housing units: 8,817 (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
Owner / renter: 57% / 43%
Single-family homes: 23%
Buildings with 5+ units: 69%
Median home value: $793,500 (Census ACS 2023 5-year)
Median household income: $89,200 (Census ACS 2023 5-year)
Households: 6,172 (Census ACS 2023 5-year)
Owner-occupied share: 54% (Census ACS 2023 5-year)

ZCTA, approximates ZIP

Who supplies the water

ZIP 33316 is served by one utility: City of Fort Lauderdale (99%).

A neighboring ZIP code, 33301 (Fort Lauderdale), is served mainly by the same utility, City of Fort Lauderdale. Its Water Score is also 87/100.

Your utility at a glance

Utility: City of Fort Lauderdale
EPA water system ID (PWSID): FL4060486
People served: 185,163
Water source: Ground water
Health-based violations: None recorded (EPA SDWIS, July to September 2026, since July 1, 2021)

How this ZIP compares

See the full report

ZIP 33316High-confidence match

Water report for City of Fort Lauderdale, ZIP 33316

Fort Lauderdale, Broward County

Data updated October 24, 2026

According to EPA water system boundaries, ZIP 33316 (Fort Lauderdale, Broward County) is served mainly by City of Fort Lauderdale, which does not buy water from another system, according to EPA SDWA records. In EPA SDWA, EPA UCMR and Florida DEP data from 2018-2023, 1 of 19 detected contaminants are above published health guidelines; PFOS averaged above 4.0 ppt, the limit in EPA's 2024 PFAS rule (water systems must meet it by April 2029; EPA has proposed allowing until 2031). The Water Score is 87 out of 100, in the Strong band. Scored against health guidelines that are stricter than legal limits, using public utility data. Not a test of your tap.

Water Score

Higher is better. The score starts at 100 and goes down for each contaminant above its health guideline.

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Every result, with its health guideline and legal limit

Each bar is the level reported for ZIP 33316. It is drawn against its own health guideline, so rows are not comparable with each other. The ink line is the health guideline, with its publisher named on each row, and the dashed line is EPA's legal limit or, for PFAS, the level in EPA's 2024 rule. Log scale: each step right is ten times more.

Arsenic0.45 ppb
Health guideline 0.004 ppb (California OEHHA 2004)Legal limit 10 ppb113× the health guideline
average of all samples
highest sample 0.9 ppb
detected in 1 of 2 samples
PFOS5.33 ppt
Health goal: zero (EPA MCLG)EPA 2024 rule: 4 ppt (from 2029)
average of all samples
highest sample 16 ppt
detected in 1 of 3 samples
EPA's 2024 rule sets a limit of 4.0 ppt; water systems must meet it by April 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed allowing extensions to April 2031. EPA's goal (MCLG) is zero.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)26.8 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 60 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 54.8 ppb
detected in 115 of 115 samples
PFOA1.63 ppt
Health goal: zero (EPA MCLG)EPA 2024 rule: 4 ppt (from 2029)
average of all samples
highest sample 4.9 ppt
detected in 1 of 3 samples
EPA's 2024 rule sets a limit of 4.0 ppt; water systems must meet it by April 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed allowing extensions to April 2031. EPA's goal (MCLG) is zero.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)31.4 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 80 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 75.5 ppb
detected in 115 of 115 samples
Fluoride562 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 4,000 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 605 ppb
detected in 4 of 4 samples
PFHxS1.07 ppt
Health goal: 10 ppt (EPA MCLG)EPA 2024 rule: 10 ppt (from 2029)
average of all samples
highest sample 3.2 ppt
detected in 1 of 3 samples
EPA's 2024 rule sets a limit of 10 ppt for PFHxS, from April 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed rescinding it.
Nitrite15.5 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 1,000 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 48.6 ppb
detected in 5 of 10 samples

See all 19 ›

Nitrate11.2 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 10,000 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 50.1 ppb
detected in 5 of 10 samples
PFBS2 ppt
Health guideline 2,000 ppt (U.S. EPA 2022)Legal limit No federal limit
average of all samples
highest sample 6 ppt
detected in 1 of 3 samples
Barium1.8 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 2,000 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 3.6 ppb
detected in 1 of 2 samples
6:2 FTSA4.33 ppt
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit No federal limit
average of all samples
highest sample 13 ppt
detected in 1 of 3 samples

Results for ZIP 33316: level reported, health guideline, and legal limit or action level
Contaminant	Level reported	Health guideline (publisher)	Legal limit or action level	Multiple of guideline
Arsenic	0.45 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 0.9 ppb detected in 1 of 2 samples	0.004 ppb (California OEHHA 2004)	10 ppb	113× the health guideline
PFOS	5.33 ppt. average of all samples highest sample 16 ppt detected in 1 of 3 samples	zero (EPA MCLG)	4 ppt (from 2029)	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)	26.8 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 54.8 ppb detected in 115 of 115 samples	None published	60 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
PFOA	1.63 ppt. average of all samples highest sample 4.9 ppt detected in 1 of 3 samples	zero (EPA MCLG)	4 ppt (from 2029)	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)	31.4 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 75.5 ppb detected in 115 of 115 samples	None published	80 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Fluoride	562 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 605 ppb detected in 4 of 4 samples	None published	4,000 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
PFHxS	1.07 ppt. average of all samples highest sample 3.2 ppt detected in 1 of 3 samples	10 ppt (EPA MCLG)	10 ppt (from 2029)	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Nitrite	15.5 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 48.6 ppb detected in 5 of 10 samples	None published	1,000 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Nitrate	11.2 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 50.1 ppb detected in 5 of 10 samples	None published	10,000 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
PFBS	2 ppt. average of all samples highest sample 6 ppt detected in 1 of 3 samples	2,000 ppt (U.S. EPA 2022)	No federal limit	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Barium

Source: EPA SDWA, EPA UCMR and Florida DEP data, 2018-2023. Educational estimate from public data, not medical advice.

Under EPA's 2024 PFAS rule, water systems must meet the PFOA and PFOS limits (4.0 ppt each) by April 2029; in May 2026 EPA proposed allowing extensions to April 2031. Results before then are monitoring data, not violations.

What was found

Above published health guidelines (1)

Guideline basis: long-term cancer risk

Arsenic

Far above guideline

113×the health guideline

This utility: 0.45 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 0.9 ppbdetected in 1 of 2 samples
Legal limit: 10 ppb
Health guideline: 0.004 ppb

Arsenic: a natural element that enters water from rock and soil deposits and from some orchard and industrial runoff. California OEHHA set a 0.004 ppb public health goal in 2004 to limit lung and bladder cancer risk; EPA's enforceable limit is 10 ppb (in effect since 2006). Source: California OEHHA

Average above 4.0 ppt, the limit in EPA's 2024 PFAS rule (water systems must meet it by April 2029; EPA has proposed allowing until 2031)

Our systems aren't certified for PFAS.

Average above 4.0 ppt, the limit in EPA's 2024 PFAS rule (water systems must meet it by April 2029; EPA has proposed allowing until 2031)
Contaminant	This utility	Legal limit or action level	Health guideline	Years
PFOSEPA's 2024 rule sets a limit of 4.0 ppt; water systems must meet it by April 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed allowing extensions to April 2031. EPA's goal (MCLG) is zero.	5.33 pptaverage of all sampleshighest sample 16 pptdetected in 1 of 3 samples	4 ppt	None published	2023

The level shown is the average of all of the utility's results in the years shown, with results below EPA's reporting level counted as zero. The highest single result and the number of samples in which it was detected are shown with each level. Each of these averaged above 4.0 ppt across all of the utility's samples, with results below the reporting level counted as zero. EPA judges compliance on a running annual average at each sampling point, so our combined average is a guide, not a compliance result. Under EPA's 2024 PFAS rule, water systems must meet the PFOA and PFOS limits (4.0 ppt each) by April 2029; in May 2026 EPA proposed allowing extensions to April 2031. Results before then are monitoring data, not violations.

Public data from EPA UCMR 5, 2023. It isn't a test of your tap, and your water can differ. Last checked against the Federal Register: October 25, 2026.

Lead

Lead: 4.9 ppb (90th percentile of tap samples, January to December 2023). EPA action level (90th percentile): 15 ppb.

Lead is measured at the tap in homes selected because they are most likely to have lead plumbing. EPA says lead in drinking water mainly comes from pipes, solder and fixtures in service lines and buildings, not from the water source. Your home's plumbing matters more than the utility's number. EPA's goal (MCLG) for lead is zero.

California's public health goal for lead is 0.2 ppb.

If your home is older or may have a lead service line, ask your utility (it must keep a service-line inventory) or have your tap tested by a state-certified lab.

Other contaminants detected (16)

Other contaminants detected, within their health guidelines or without one
Contaminant	This utility	Legal limit or action level	Health guideline	Years
Fluoride	562 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 605 ppbdetected in 4 of 4 samples	4,000 ppb	None published	2020
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)	39.8 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 49.9 ppbdetected in 12 of 12 samples	No federal limit	None published	2018
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)	31.4 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 75.5 ppbdetected in 115 of 115 samples	80 ppb	None published	2018-2022
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)	26.8 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 54.8 ppbdetected in 115 of 115 samples	60 ppb	None published	2018-2022
Nitrite	15.5 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 48.6 ppb

Questions people ask

Utilities serving ZIP 33316
Utility	Share of the ZIP area	Role
City of Fort Lauderdale	99%	Main utility (this report)

Which water utility serves ZIP 33316?

City of Fort Lauderdale (EPA water system FL4060486) is the main utility for ZIP 33316, based on EPA Water System Boundaries (CWS service area boundaries) v3.0, March 2026 release overlaid on Census ZIP code areas. Your water bill names your utility.

Does the utility serving ZIP 33316 buy water from another system?

No. EPA SDWA records (July to September 2026 extract) show no water purchases by City of Fort Lauderdale from another system.

How many contaminants in ZIP 33316 are above published health guidelines?

1 of 19 detected contaminants were above their published health guidelines in EPA SDWA, EPA UCMR and Florida DEP data, 2018-2023. The highest: Arsenic at 113 times its guideline. PFOS averaged above 4.0 ppt, the limit in EPA's 2024 PFAS rule (water systems must meet it by April 2029; EPA has proposed allowing until 2031).

How is the Water Score for ZIP 33316 calculated?

The score starts at 100. It goes down 8 for each contaminant above a cited health guideline whose source states a cancer basis, 5 for each other contaminant above its cited guideline, 5 for each of PFOA and PFOS averaging above the 4.0 ppt limit in EPA's 2024 PFAS rule, 10 for each contaminant whose average of all samples is above EPA's legal limit (instead of its guideline step), and 1 for each contaminant with a cited cancer-based guideline that is detected below it. Only guidelines with a cited document count. The lowest score is 5. Higher is better. For this report: 100 minus 8 times 1, minus 5 times 1 (PFOS average above 4.0 ppt, the limit in EPA's 2024 PFAS rule) is 87, so the score is 87.

What is the difference between a health guideline and a legal limit?

A legal limit is an enforceable standard, set by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Limits weigh health research together with the cost and feasibility of treatment. A health guideline is published by public-health sources and based on health research alone. A utility can meet every legal limit and still be above a published health guideline.

How recent is the data for ZIP 33316?

Test results cover 2018-2023. EPA compliance records come from the July to September 2026 extract. Data may be one to three years old and may not reflect water at your tap.

33316 Fort Lauderdale water quality

Fort Lauderdale