Fort Lauderdale's water quality grade in FL reflects a middle-ground assessment - service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

Water Quality in Fort Lauderdale

We track home safety signals for 47 ZIP codes in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 27 ZIP codes and 18 water systems.

27 of 27 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 3,359 total, including 25 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (69/100)

Water sources: Groundwater.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0061 mg/L
• 0 of 27 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
• 58% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 2% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1980
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 52/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 17%
• 17 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 58% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Fort Lauderdale residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

377,233 total housing units across 47 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Fort Lauderdale:

• 18,224 flood insurance claims on record
• $278,818,496 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
• 10,013 claims with payment data
• 8,211 claims without reported payment fields
• $27,846 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
• Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: AHB (A/V-family)
• 34 of 37 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
• Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone among 47 ZIP records with zone data: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 47 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Fort Lauderdale Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Fort Lauderdale has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Fort Lauderdale

• 33301 [C] - 85 violations
• 33302
• 33303
• 33304 [C] - 85 violations
• 33305 [C] - 115 violations
• 33306 [C] - 115 violations
• 33307
• 33308 [C] - 115 violations
• 33309 [C] - 258 violations ⚠
• 33310
• 33311 [C] - 218 violations ⚠
• 33312 [C] - 171 violations
• 33313 [C] - 156 violations ⚠
• 33314 [C] - 190 violations
• 33315 [C] - 120 violations ⚠
• 33316 [C] - 167 violations ⚠
• 33317 [C] - 182 violations
• 33318
• 33319 [C] - 161 violations ⚠
• 33320
• 33321 [C] - 97 violations
• 33322 [C] - 76 violations
• 33323 [C] - 76 violations
• 33324 [C] - 81 violations
• 33325 [C] - 101 violations
• 33326 [B] - 73 violations
• 33327 [A] - 23 violations
• 33328 [A] - 94 violations
• 33329
• 33330 [C] - 129 violations ⚠
• 33331 [C] - 152 violations ⚠
• 33332 [C] - 66 violations ⚠
• 33334 [C] - 132 violations
• 33335
• 33336
• 33337
• 33338
• 33339
• 33340
• 33345
• 33346
• 33348
• 33349
• 33351 [C] - 121 violations ⚠
• 33355
• 33359
• 33394

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Fort Lauderdale, FL?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Fort Lauderdale has an average score of 69/100 (grade C) across 27 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 3359 recorded EPA violations across 27 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 25 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Fort Lauderdale have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Fort Lauderdale is 0.0061 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 27 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 58% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Fort Lauderdale at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 18,224 flood insurance claim records in Fort Lauderdale ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $27,846 among 10,013 claims with payment data. 8,211 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 37 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 34 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Fort Lauderdale homes?

58% of Fort Lauderdale housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 2% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 17%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Fort Lauderdale water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Total Coliform, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Across 27 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 27 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Housing Age Profile

For most of Fort Lauderdale's housing stock, construction occurred after 1986 - when lead solder in plumbing was federally prohibited. The median build year of 1980 broadly reflects that newer profile.

1980

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Fort Lauderdale were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Fort Lauderdale: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

0.0061

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Lead risk in Fort Lauderdale appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Fort Lauderdale: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

18,224

Total FEMA Flood Claims

$27,846

Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data

92%

A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Fort Lauderdale contains 18,224 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $27,846. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 92% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.