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PFAS “forever chemicals”
PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and related PFAS were found at most utilities tested — Palm Springs' PFOS reading of 37 ppt is over 9× the EPA limit of 4 ppt. These chemicals don't break down and build up in the body over time.
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Based on the EWG Tap Water Database · 2013–2024 testing
What's really in your tap water?
We pulled the test results for the biggest water utilities across Broward and Palm Beach counties from the Environmental Working Group's national Tap Water Database. Here's what they found — in plain language.
45
Utilities reviewed
3,270,000+
Neighbors whose water these serve
332
Contaminants above EWG health guidelines
873
Total contaminants detected
The Findings
Legal Does Not Mean Safe
Every one of these utilities passed its federal compliance check — but federal limits haven't been updated in almost 20 years, and several of these contaminants have no federal limit at all. Measured against the stricter health guidelines published by the Environmental Working Group, here's what shows up.
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Arsenic
Detected at most utilities, up to 3.8 ppb in Dania Beach. That's well under the federal limit of 10 ppb — but nearly 1,000× EWG's health guideline of 0.004 ppb, which is based on cancer risk.
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Disinfection byproducts
Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAA5/HAA9) — formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter — showed up at nearly every utility. Long-term exposure is linked to bladder and other cancers.
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Chromium-6 (hexavalent)
The “Erin Brockovich” chemical was detected at many local utilities, up to 0.23 ppb at BCWWS 2A. It has no federal legal limit of its own; EWG's health guideline is 0.02 ppb.
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Radioactive particles
Combined radium (-226/-228) was measured at several Broward utilities — including Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Coral Springs and BCWWS 1A — up to 16× EWG's health guideline — alongside nitrate, chlorate and other industrial and agricultural traces.
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But it's all legal
True: these utilities met federal drinking water standards in recent compliance reviews. The catch — federal limits are nearly 20 years old, and many of these contaminants have no limit at all.
Utility by Utility
Your Water Provider's Results
Average levels reported to the EWG Tap Water Database (in parts per billion, ppb, and parts per trillion, ppt). A dash means no recent result is listed for that utility.
| Utility | Serves | Above EWG guidelines | PFOS (ppt) | PFOA (ppt) | Arsenic (ppb) | TTHMs (ppb) | HAA5 (ppb) | EWG page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pembroke PinesPembroke Pines, FL | 187,459 | 14 of 32 detected | 29.0 | 12.3 | 0.6 | 23.2 | 17.6 | Full data ↗ |
| Fort LauderdaleFt Lauderdale, FL | 182,245 | 10 of 25 detected | 5.3 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 30.1 | 25.6 | Full data ↗ |
| HollywoodHollywood, FL | 147,566 | 8 of 24 detected | 18.5 | 5.2 | 1.4 | 19.5 | 14.4 | Full data ↗ |
| SunriseSunrise, FL | 79,550 | 15 of 30 detected | 10.4 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 50.0 | 26.3 | Full data ↗ |
| BCWWS District 1ALauderdale Lakes, FL | 75,305 | 10 of 25 detected | 18.9 | 6.4 | 0.5 | 47.3 | 42.6 | Full data ↗ |
| Coral SpringsCoral Springs, FL | 65,000 | 7 of 19 detected | — | — | 0.3 | 45.9 | 24.9 | Full data ↗ |
| BCWWS District 2APompano Beach, FL | 54,622 | 6 of 16 detected | — | — | 0.2 | 22.5 | 23.7 | Full data ↗ |
| BCWWS District 3B/CMiramar, FL | 32,650 | 9 of 24 detected | 19.3 | 5.4 | 1.4 | 17.8 | 17.0 | Full data ↗ |
| BCWWS District 3AFt Lauderdale, FL | 16,046 | 4 of 9 detected | — | — | — | 17.2 | 18.0 | Full data ↗ |
| Coconut CreekCoconut Creek, FL | 54,000 | 10 of 25 detected | 25.5 | 10.4 | 0.2 | 33.7 | 23.3 | Full data ↗ |
| Cooper CityCooper City, FL | 33,752 | 3 of 9 detected | — | — | — | 0.0 | 0.6 | Full data ↗ |
| Dania BeachDania Beach, FL | 17,132 | 5 of 11 detected | — | — | 3.8 | 9.5 | 17.7 | Full data ↗ |
| Deerfield BeachDeerfield Beach, FL | 62,000 | 8 of 16 detected | 8.9 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 17.2 | 20.6 | Full data ↗ |
| Davie (Town of)Davie/hollywood, FL | 26,000 | 5 of 17 detected | — | — | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.6 | Full data ↗ |
| Hallandale BeachHallandale Beach, FL | 40,000 | 10 of 26 detected | 19.5 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 19.8 | 9.8 | Full data ↗ |
| LauderhillLauderhill, FL | 55,000 | 9 of 25 detected | 34.5 | 10.1 | 0.8 | 66.3 | 44.9 | Full data ↗ |
| Pompano BeachPompano Beach, FL | 84,000 | 11 of 23 detected | 17.5 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 24.1 | 15.0 | Full data ↗ |
| MargateMargate, FL | 62,254 | 9 of 21 detected | 22.2 | 5.4 | — | 13.9 | 16.1 | Full data ↗ |
| Miramar (East & West Plants)Miramar, FL | 127,700 | 5 of 17 detected | — | — | 0.2 | 6.9 | 4.5 | Full data ↗ |
| North LauderdaleNorth Lauderdale, FL | 35,709 | 8 of 20 detected | 29.0 | 7.5 | — | 16.6 | 21.3 | Full data ↗ |
| Oakland ParkOakland Park, FL | 27,984 | 10 of 25 detected | 5.3 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 31.5 | 26.2 | Full data ↗ |
| North Springs Improvement DistrictCoral Springs, FL | 37,371 | 5 of 11 detected | — | — | — | 1.0 | 4.4 | Full data ↗ |
| Plantation (East & Central)Plantation, FL | 85,496 | 5 of 10 detected | — | — | 0.9 | 4.6 | 6.6 | Full data ↗ |
| Weston (Indian Trace)Weston, FL | 52,300 | 11 of 18 detected | — | — | — | 3.0 | 2.4 | Full data ↗ |
| Tamarac (West)Tamarac, FL | 63,793 | 4 of 11 detected | — | — | — | 53.3 | 28.5 | Full data ↗ |
| Wilton ManorsWilton Manors, FL | 12,531 | 10 of 25 detected | 5.3 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 27.4 | 25.7 | Full data ↗ |
| Sunrise #3 (Sawgrass)Sunrise, FL | 72,400 | 11 of 17 detected | — | — | — | 26.9 | 15.8 | Full data ↗ |
| Sunrise SouthwestFort Lauderdale, FL | 10,750 | 10 of 73 detected | — | 9.3 | 1.0 | 20.2 | 11.0 | Full data ↗ |
| Coral Springs Improvement DistrictCoral Springs, FL | 40,000 | 4 of 12 detected | — | — | — | 7.4 | 10.1 | Full data ↗ |
| Fern Crest EastDavie, FL | 115 | 5 of 17 detected | — | — | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.6 | Full data ↗ |
| Palm Beach County Water Utilities (PBCWUD)West Palm Beach, FL | 597,649 | 6 of 18 detected | — | — | — | 26.8 | 19.0 | Full data ↗ |
| Wellington Water Treatment PlantWellington, FL | 56,475 | 5 of 9 detected | — | — | — | 38.3 | 21.5 | Full data ↗ |
| West Palm Beach Water Treatment PlantWest Palm Beach, FL | 102,000 | 5 of 20 detected | — | — | — | 62.2 | 24.7 | Full data ↗ |
| Boca Raton Water Treatment PlantBoca Raton, FL | 130,000 | 4 of 12 detected | — | — | — | 53.8 | 28.6 | Full data ↗ |
| Boynton Beach Water Treatment PlantBoynton Beach, FL | 112,000 | 8 of 22 detected | 12.3 | 4.2 | — | 13.0 | 10.4 | Full data ↗ |
| Delray Beach Water DepartmentDelray Beach, FL | 69,754 | 8 of 22 detected | 28.7 | 14.2 | 0.7 | 19.9 | 20.3 | Full data ↗ |
| Jupiter Water SystemJupiter, FL | 94,874 | 4 of 10 detected | — | — | — | 0.9 | 1.1 | Full data ↗ |
| Tequesta Water Treatment PlantTequesta, FL | 15,500 | 7 of 14 detected | 10.5 | 3.9 | — | 33.3 | 21.3 | Full data ↗ |
| Lake Worth UtilitiesLake Worth Beach, FL | 48,000 | 8 of 18 detected | 12.0 | 2.0 | — | 10.4 | 13.8 | Full data ↗ |
| Lantana Water Treatment PlantLantana, FL | 11,558 | 9 of 18 detected | 33.4 | 11.3 | 0.4 | 25.3 | 28.0 | Full data ↗ |
| Village of Palm SpringsPalm Springs, FL | 32,467 | 8 of 22 detected | 37.0 | 15.0 | — | 38.3 | 30.1 | Full data ↗ |
| Seacoast Utilities AuthorityPalm Beach Gardens, FL | 97,552 | 4 of 15 detected | — | — | — | 5.1 | 3.3 | Full data ↗ |
| Riviera Beach Utility DistrictRiviera Beach, FL | 31,500 | 5 of 14 detected | — | — | — | 22.2 | 20.9 | Full data ↗ |
| PBCWUD Lake Region (System 11)West Palm Beach, FL | 31,286 | 5 of 12 detected | — | — | — | 12.5 | 2.5 | Full data ↗ |
| Palm Lake Estates NorthRiviera Beach, FL | 480 | 5 of 14 detected | — | — | — | 92.0 | 49.8 | Full data ↗ |
For reference, the EPA's new legal limits are 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppb for arsenic, and 80 ppb for TTHMs (60 ppb for HAA5). EWG's health guidelines — set to protect against cancer and childhood development harm — are far stricter. Dashes mean the contaminant isn't listed for that utility on EWG's page, not that the water is contaminant-free.
What You Can Do
You Don't Have to Live With It
The good news: everything on this page is filterable at home with proven technology. Here's what we recommend for Broward and Palm Beach water.
Reverse Osmosis
The most effective at-home technology for PFAS, arsenic, chromium-6, nitrate and radium. Our under-sink RO systems give your family bottle-quality water at a dedicated kitchen faucet.
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Activated carbon and softening across every faucet: cuts chlorine and disinfection byproducts where you shower, cook and bathe, while protecting appliances from Broward's hard water.
Get a Free Quote →💡 Want to know exactly what's coming out of YOUR tap? Our free in-home test shows you hardness, chlorine and more in about 20 minutes — no obligation.
Book My Free Water TestSources & Notes
- EWG Tap Water Database — Broward County utilities ↗
- EWG Tap Water Database — Palm Beach County utilities ↗
- Broward County Water & Wastewater Services — Water Quality Report ↗
- City of Fort Lauderdale — Annual Water Quality Report ↗
Data shown comes from the EWG Tap Water Database, which aggregates utility testing reported through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system, for test years 2013–2024. Figures are averages of reported measurements and may not reflect your home's water, which can vary by plumbing, season and pressure zone. Flowmingo Water Filtration is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by EWG. This page is informational and is not a substitute for testing your own water.