Drinking water quality · 2023
What's in Miami Dade, FL tap water
27 contaminants were measured in the Miami Dade, FL water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 5 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2023
- Contaminants measured
- 27
- Over federal limit
- 5
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- PFOS
- Service area
- FL
- PFOSPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level15–35 ng/Llimit 4 ng/L · 8.8× the limit
- PFOAPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level3–16 ng/Llimit 4 ng/L · 4.0× the limit
- HAA5Disinfection byproducts · Reported level3–81 ug/L
- ChloramineDisinfectants · Reported level0.6–4.2 mg/Llimit 4 mg/L · 1.1× the limit
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level1–10 ng/Llimit 10 ng/L · 1.0× the limit
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
2 PFAS compounds above EPA limits in Miami Dade, FL
The EPA finalized the first-ever federal drinking-water limits for six PFAS compounds in April 2024. These numbers come straight from EPA's UCMR5 lab dataset — every U.S. system serving more than 3,300 people tested every PFAS sample at an entry point to its distribution system. PFAS not listed below were either tested and not detected, or not yet sampled.
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
● Over EPA limit (8.3×)PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
● Over EPA limit (3.5×)PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Approaching limit (94%)PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid)
● Below limitPFBA
● Detected (no federal limit)6:2 FTS
● Detected (no federal limit)PFHpA
● Detected (no federal limit)PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)PFBS
● Detected (no federal limit)PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)8:2 FTS
● Detected (no federal limit)Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Miami Dade, FL's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 77 sources.
Source
- WELL · 23
- ORR WELLFIELD · 22
- HIALEAH-MIAMI SPRINGS · 19
- PRESTON PLANT · 4
- + 5 more
Treatment
- MDWASD/ALEXANDER ORR
- MDWASA/HIALEAH
- MDWASA/JOHN PRESTON
Distribution
Compliance history
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act violation & enforcement records (EPA SDWIS). A violation is a regulatory determination by the state or EPA — separate from the measured levels above.
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 3–81 ug/LReported levelMain System | None set | At or above the limit |
+By source (4)— Main System, NMB Water, South Dade Water Supply System +1 more
| |||
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 11–71 ug/LReported levelSouth Dade Water Supply System | None set | Approaching the limit |
+By source (4)— South Dade Water Supply System, Main System, Redavo +1 more
| |||
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChloramineA longer-lasting disinfectant made by combining chlorine with ammonia. | 0.6–4.2 mg/LReported levelNMB Water | 4 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— NMB Water, Main System
| |||
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 0.4–2.6 mg/LReported levelRedavo | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Redavo, South Dade Water Supply System
| |||
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 2–7 mg/LReported levelSouth Dade Water Supply System | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— South Dade Water Supply System, Redavo, Main System +1 more
| |||
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.5–1 mg/LReported levelMain System | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— Main System, Redavo, NMB Water +1 more
| |||
| NitriteA compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0–0.2 mg/LReported levelMain System | 1 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— Main System, South Dade Water Supply System, NMB Water +1 more
| |||
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 0–5 pCi/LReported levelSouth Dade Water Supply System | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— South Dade Water Supply System, Redavo, Main System +1 more
| |||
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 0.7–9 ug/LReported levelSouth Dade Water Supply System | 30 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— South Dade Water Supply System, Redavo, Main System +1 more
| |||
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 0–1 pCi/LReported levelSouth Dade Water Supply System | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— South Dade Water Supply System, Redavo, Main System +1 more
| |||
| RadonA naturally occurring radioactive gas that can dissolve into groundwater. | 0–197 pCi/LReported levelMain System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Main System, South Dade Water Supply System, NMB Water
| |||
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 0.0031 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 0.015 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 0.6–2 ug/LReported levelMain System | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— Main System, South Dade Water Supply System, NMB Water +1 more
| |||
| Antimony | 0.07–0.5 ug/LReported levelSouth Dade Water Supply System | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— South Dade Water Supply System, Main System, NMB Water +1 more
| |||
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0–0.8 ug/LReported levelSouth Dade Water Supply System | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— South Dade Water Supply System, Main System, NMB Water +1 more
| |||
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.01–0.02 mg/LReported levelSouth Dade Water Supply System | 2 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— South Dade Water Supply System, Redavo, Main System +1 more
| |||
| Thallium | 0.01–0.02 ug/LReported levelSouth Dade Water Supply System | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— South Dade Water Supply System, NMB Water, Redavo +1 more
| |||
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 1.1 %Reported levelRedavo | 1.3 %Action level | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Redavo, South Dade Water Supply System, Main System +1 more
| |||
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 23–33 mg/LReported levelMain System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Main System, NMB Water, Redavo +1 more
| |||
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pentachlorophenol | 0–0.038 ug/LReported levelNMB Water | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— NMB Water, South Dade Water Supply System, Main System +1 more
| |||
| Chromium | 0–2 ug/LReported levelMain System | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— Main System, South Dade Water Supply System, NMB Water +1 more
| |||
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0Reported levelMain System | None set | None detected |
+By source (4)— Main System, South Dade Water Supply System, Redavo +1 more
| |||
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS | 0.2–1.3Reported levelMain System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Main System, South Dade Water Supply System
| |||
People also ask about Miami Dade, FL's water
+Is Miami Dade, FL tap water safe to drink in 2023?
The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report for the Miami Dade, FL water utility lists 5 contaminants at or above the federal limit: PFOS, PFOA, HAA5, Chloramine, and Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Miami Dade, FL tap water?
27 contaminants were measured in Miami Dade, FL's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, pfas ("forever chemicals"), and radionuclides. 15 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Miami Dade, FL tap water?
5 contaminants in Miami Dade, FL's 2023 report sit at or above the federal limit: PFOS (8.8× the limit); PFOA (4.0× the limit); HAA5 (1.4× the limit); Chloramine (1.1× the limit); Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (1.0× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Miami Dade, FL tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2023 report is PFOS, at 8.8× the federal threshold. It belongs to the pfas ("forever chemicals") family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Miami Dade, FL tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: TTHM. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Miami Dade, FL's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Miami Dade, FL's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2023 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.