Drinking water quality · 2023
· Verified
What's in Miami Dade, FL tap water
26 contaminants were measured in the Miami Dade, FL water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 7 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2023
- Contaminants measured
- 26
- Over federal limit
- 7
- Approaching the limit
- 2
- Worst contaminant
- PFOS
- Service area
- FL
- PFOSPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level35–35 ng/Llimit 4 ng/L · 8.8× the limit
- PFOAPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level16–16 ng/Llimit 4 ng/L · 4.0× the limit
- NitrateInorganic chemicals · Reported level15 mg/Llimit 10 mg/L · 1.5× the limit
- HAA5Disinfection byproducts · Reported level44–81 ug/Llimit 60 ug/L · 1.4× the limit
- PFASPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level1.1–1.3limit 1 · 1.3× the limit
- ChloramineDisinfectants · Reported level3.7–4.2 mg/Llimit 4 mg/L · 1.1× the limit
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level10–10 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×)above national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
● Over EPA limit (3.5×)above national p90 (13.649999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Approaching limit (94%)near national p90 (12.049999999999997 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid)
● Below limitbelow national p90 (25.08 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBA
● Detected (no federal limit)above national p90 (18 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
6:2 FTS
● Detected (no federal limit)4.9× the national p90 (0.03898000000000001 µg/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHpA
● Detected (no federal limit)2.1× the national p90 (9.309999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)3.5× the national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBS
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (13.909999999999979 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)4.8× the national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
8:2 FTS
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (0.02841 µg/L across detecting U.S. systems)
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
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
2 contaminants historically over EPA limits in Miami Dade, FL
Every U.S. public water system reports compliance-monitoring data to EPA. The Six-Year Review releases the 2012–2019 window as a single dataset — here's what your system reported, year by year. Values shown are the highest detection per analyte per year, compared to the federal MCL.
| Contaminant | Worst detection | EPA limit | Years (2012–2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
HAA5 worst: 2017 | 0.078 mg/L 1.3× | 0.06 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
TTHM worst: 2012 | 0.0933 mg/L 1.2× | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE worst: 2014 | 4.05 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2017 | 0.85 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
ARSENIC worst: 2017 | 0.0014 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.01 mg/L | '14'17 |
NITRITE worst: 2016 | 0.042 mg/L within | 1 mg/L | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
ANTIMONY worst: 2014 | 0.0001 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.006 mg/L | '14 |
SELENIUM worst: 2017 | 0.0007 mg/L within | 0.05 mg/L | '17 |
CHROMIUM worst: 2014 | 0.0011 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.1 mg/L | '14'17 |
BARIUM worst: 2014 | 0.012 mg/L within below national p90 | 2 mg/L | '14'17 |
URANIUM worst: 2014 | 0.00192 ug/L within below national p90 | 30 ug/L | '14'17 |
COPPER worst: 2014 | 0.0029 mg/L below national p90 | — | '14'17 |
LEAD worst: 2014 | 0.0001 mg/L | — | '14 |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS | 1.1–1.3Reported levelMain System | 1MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (4)— Main System, Sistema Principal, Sistema de Suministro de Agua de South Dade +1 more
| |||
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChloramineA longer-lasting disinfectant made by combining chlorine with ammonia. | 3.7–4.2 mg/LReported levelNMB Water | 4 mg/LMRDL | At or above the limit |
+By source (4)— NMB Water, Sistema de Suministro de NMB, Sistema Principal +1 more
| |||
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1–2.6 mg/LReported levelRedavo | 4 mg/LMRDL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Redavo, Sistema de Suministro de Agua de South Dade, South Dade Water Supply System
| |||
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 0–5 pCi/LReported levelSistema de Suministro de Agua de South Dade | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (7)— Sistema de Suministro de Agua de South Dade, South Dade Water Supply System, Redavo +4 more
| |||
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 0–1 pCi/LReported levelSistema de Suministro de Agua de South Dade | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (7)— Sistema de Suministro de Agua de South Dade, South Dade Water Supply System, Redavo +4 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 (6)— Main System, Sistema Principal, South Dade Water Supply System +3 more
| |||
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 33–33 mg/LReported levelMain System | 160 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (7)— Main System, Sistema Principal, Sistema de Suministro de NMB +4 more
| |||
| Chromium, TotalTotal chromium — the sum of all chromium forms, from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0–2 ug/LReported levelSistema Principal | 100 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (7)— Sistema Principal, Main System, South Dade Water Supply System +4 more
| |||
| Thallium | 0.02–0.02 ug/LReported levelSouth Dade Water Supply System | 2 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (7)— South Dade Water Supply System, Sistema de Suministro de Agua de South Dade, Redavo +4 more
| |||
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0Reported levelSistema Principal | None set | None detected |
+By source (7)— Sistema Principal, Sistema de Suministro de NMB, Redavo +4 more
| |||
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 7 contaminants at or above the federal limit: PFOS, PFOA, Nitrate, HAA5, PFAS, 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?
26 contaminants were measured in Miami Dade, FL's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, pfas ("forever chemicals"), and radionuclides. 24 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?
7 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); Nitrate (1.5× the limit); HAA5 (1.4× the limit); PFAS (1.3× 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?
2 contaminants are between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: TTHM and Copper. 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.