Water Quality in Fort Walton Beach, FL: 18 Violations — Grade B
Grade B · Score 70/100 · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Fort Walton Beach's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
The compliance record maintained by the EPA for Fort Walton Beach, FL documents 18 water violations — each tied to a specific public water system and assigned a violation category in the federal Safe Drinking Water dataset.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Fort Walton Beach
Water quality varies across Fort Walton Beach's 3 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32548 | C | 63 | 6 | 0 | View report → |
| 32547 | C | 68 | 6 | 0 | View report → |
| 32549 | B | 78 | 6 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Fort Walton Beach, Florida receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 70 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 3 water systems serving Fort Walton Beach have accumulated 18 EPA violations (all monitoring/reporting type). These violations are tracked across 3 ZIP codes serving approximately 122,000 people.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Fort Walton Beach's water systems meet the vast majority of federal requirements. Minor violations may exist but typically relate to monitoring or reporting rather than health-based standards.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Fort Walton Beach water systems is 0.0026 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 57% of homes built before 1986, Fort Walton Beach has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach is served by 3 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 122,000 people across 3 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
How to Check Your Water in Fort Walton Beach
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Fort Walton Beach Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Fort Walton Beach's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 9 | 3 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Fort Walton Beach vs. Nearby Florida Cities
How Fort Walton Beach's water quality compares to similar cities in Florida:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Walton Beach | B | 18 | 3 | 122,000 |
| Stuart | B | 196 | 5 | 122,840 |
| Palm Coast | A | 20 | 2 | 117,378 |
| Wabasso | C | 0 | 1 | 126,893 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Fort Walton Beach
Water quality varies across Fort Walton Beach's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
Common Questions About Fort Walton Beach Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Fort Walton Beach, Florida:
Is Fort Walton Beach water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Fort Walton Beach's 3 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Fort Walton Beach tap water? Fort Walton Beach's water receives a grade of B (70/100). No health-based violations have been recorded, but home testing is always recommended.
What is the best water filter for Fort Walton Beach? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Fort Walton Beach vs. Florida Average
Understanding how Fort Walton Beach compares to the broader Florida average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Fort Walton Beach.
ZIP Codes in Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach spans 3 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 32547. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade B is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.