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Can You Drink Tap Water in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, Fort Lauderdale's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Fort Lauderdale has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Fort Lauderdale's water utility, Bcwws 3A, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Bcwws 3A water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Fort Lauderdale Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Bcwws 3A for Fort Lauderdale in Florida. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
Is there Lead in Fort Lauderdale Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Fort Lauderdale water system, Bcwws 3A, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0052 mg/L of lead in Fort Lauderdale water. This is 34.7% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Fort Lauderdale contained more lead.
While Fort Lauderdale water testing may have found 0.0052 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Fort Lauderdale Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Homestead AFB - near Fort Lauderdale with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Fort Lauderdale has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
| Status |
Current status of the violation.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
| Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
| Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Fort Lauderdale Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Phone: | 954-831-0960 |
| By Mail: | 2555 W COPANS RD POMPANO BEACH, FL, 33069 |
Existing customers can login to their Bcwws 3A account to pay their Fort Lauderdale water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your Bcwws 3A bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Fort Lauderdale water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Fort Lauderdale water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Fort Lauderdale means you will often need to put the water in your name with Bcwws 3A. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Fort Lauderdale means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Bcwws 3A. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
The estimated price of bottled water
$1.78 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Fort Lauderdale, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Contaminants
City of Fort Lauderdale
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility details
- Serves: 182145
- Data available: 2012-2017
- Data Source: Groundwater
- Total: 12
Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines
- Arsenic
- Chromium (hexavalent)
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†
Other Detected Contaminants
- Barium
- Chlorate
- Chlorodifluoromethane
- Fluoride
- Nitrate
- Nitrite
- Strontium
- Vanadium
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.
Sources and Resources
Sources Cited
Additional Resources
Fort Lauderdale Tap Water
Have you ever had the unfortunate event of getting sick from drinking Fort Lauderdale tap water? I bet if you have, then you know just how serious of a problem it can be. If it’s not severe enough for you to seek medical attention, then maybe it is for many other people out there. As scary as it sounds, one in three people in Fort Lauderdale have symptoms of waterborne illness, and over twenty percent of those people end up making a trip to the doctor or emergency room due to their symptoms. Those are some pretty sobering numbers.
Of course, most people don’t have to worry about drinking contaminated tap water, but the truth is that it happens more often than we think, and there’s no reason why it should happen. It seems like the only thing that can be done about the problem is to install a filter, but how much does that cost, and what kind of filter is the best? Let me tell you what type of filter should be installed if you want to be sure that your water is clean and healthy…
A multi-stage filtration system will eliminate all of the harmful chemicals and toxins in your water and leave you with pure, great-tasting water that is easy to maintain. That’s what the government wants you to believe, but until you understand what goes into your water, then you won’t know. If you are one of the people who have to worry about drinking contaminated tap water, then make sure to learn more about this vital topic by following the links below.
Fort Lauderdale Drinking Water
Have you ever heard of Fort Lauderdale drinking water? If you have, you should know that this is one of the most polluted cities in the United States. The toxic waste from industry, domestic, agricultural, and commercial sectors are the leading causes for contamination of drinking water worldwide. Residents use the contaminated water supplies for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
Recently, several lawsuits were filed against major manufacturers and industrial companies of water products which failed to provide adequate protective measures to curb contamination. The lawsuits are proving extremely detrimental to the reputation of the drinking water sector in Florida. It has led to groundwater contamination, municipal lakes, drinking water reservoirs, and even storm drainage systems. Moreover, it has also led to severe health problems like cancer, reproductive failures, congenital disabilities, and neurological disorders in hundreds of thousands of innocent people living in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach.
If the water contamination remains unchecked, it will gradually harm the human system, compromising the human life span. The water pollution problem in the state is taken care of by the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. However, Florida citizens must check on the water supply for at least 5 gallons every day.
Fort Lauderdale Water Quality
With a plethora of large cities in Florida, it is no surprise that Fort Lauderdale is one of the most polluted cities in America. This is because over fifty percent of Fort Lauderdale’s water is treated through chlorine. The problem with using chlorine in treating our water supply is that the chemicals tend to get absorbed into our system and enter our bloodstreams over time. Not only does this make us vulnerable to disease, but it has also been shown that excessive exposure to chlorine can cause a variety of health problems.
To ensure that we are as healthy as possible, we need to take care of our water supply. By only using purifiers designed to eliminate toxins from your tap water, you can easily ensure that you and your family are protected. Purifiers that remove chemicals from your water supply will filter out toxins while leaving the beneficial minerals necessary for good health. These types of systems are not only easy to operate but affordable as well.
When it comes to your health, you can’t leave anything up to chance. If you want to ensure that you and your family stay healthy, you must check the Fort Lauderdale water quality. Don’t waste another day drinking water filled with chemicals and toxins. Give yourself and your family the advantage of purifiers designed to provide you with the purest water possible.
Fort Lauderdale Water Treatment
Fort Lauderdale water treatment and filtration have become increasingly important as the population continues to grow. Thanks to the threat posed by the West Nile Virus, which can cause neurological problems and is prevalent in southern Florida, more people have begun to realize that they need to invest in quality drinking water. The water treatment systems of Fort Lauderdale are among the most comprehensive in the country. They remove the most significant percentage of contaminants possible from the water, leaving it virtually free of toxins and suitable for human consumption. The treatment of Fort Lauderdale water also ensures that the health of its residents is guaranteed.
Water treatment in Fort Lauderdale begins with a comprehensive process called water purification. This procedure removes any present contaminants, bacteria, viruses, cysts, and other harmful organisms from the water. To do this, the water is filtered using ultraviolet light, carbon filters, or a combination of both methods. After the water passes through the various filters, it is returned to the main water supply pipeline for reconditioning. This process is necessary because it ensures that the water that returns to the mainline is clean and undisturbed. In contrast, the water treatment plants which are located throughout the city continue to purify the water.
When looking for a water treatment facility in Fort Lauderdale, look for a company that offers on-site water purification and one that provides services for off-site usage. Many times a home’s water purification needs will differ from that of their household. A system intended for household use may not be the right one for a business or an individual home. This is where the on-site water purification system referred to as a drinking water plant comes into play. It serves as the perfect solution. It will treat the water as it comes into the property and filters it before it leaves the property to ensure that all water safety standards have been met.
Water in Fort Lauderdale
The sun will shine, the beaches will be clean, and the water in Fort Lauderdale will be safe to swim in, but not if you have the use of a water filter. The water in Fort Lauderdale is full of toxins that are harmful to your body. Most people do not realize that they are taking in many toxic substances when they take a bath or shower. You may think that just water is a no-no, but you may be surprised at the number of items found in the water that you drink, eat, or use as cooking water. The water in Fort Lauderdale is full of prescription drugs, such as Tylenol and cold medicine, that many people take days and are unaware that the water contains high levels of these medications that may have side effects may not be aware of.
The water that enters your home through your tap will also contain traces of toxic mold, which is the cause of illness in elderly individuals. Even small amounts of mold can cause disease. If you are dealing with water pollution issues, it is essential to purchasing a water filter. It is also a good idea to invest in a water purifier to deal with water pollution issues at your home. A water purifier will eliminate all of the harmful chemicals that are found in water and allow you to enjoy clean water at all times.
A water filter is an excellent investment because it can help ensure that you and your family are protected from the harmful effects of water pollution. You will want to make sure that you are taking every precaution possible to avoid water pollution. If you feel that you are at risk, then you should purchase a water filter today and protect your family from the dangers of water pollution. Remember, if you suspect that you are suffering from water pollution at home, the best thing you can do is get a water filter system and start protecting yourself and your family.