For most households in Miami, FL tap water is adequate - the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Miami

We track water quality and home safety data for 96 ZIP codes in Miami, Florida (population ~1,849,309), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 2,859,735 people region-wide.

96 of 96 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 5,376 total, including no health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (59/100)

Water sources: Groundwater.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0031 mg/L
• 58% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 9% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1979
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 45/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 17%
• 35 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 58% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Miami 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

729,615 total housing units across 96 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Miami:

• 44,069 flood insurance claims on record
• $623,634,555 total paid out
• $14,151 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
• 57 of 96 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 95 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 1 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Miami 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 Miami 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)

Test for Radon

• Miami is in a moderate-risk radon area
• Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
• If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

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 Miami

• 33101 [C] - 56 violations
• 33102 [B] - 56 violations
• 33106 [C] - 56 violations
• 33110 [C] - 56 violations
• 33111 [C] - 56 violations
• 33112 [C] - 56 violations
• 33116 [C] - 56 violations
• 33122 [C] - 56 violations
• 33124 [C] - 56 violations
• 33125 [D] - 56 violations
• 33126 [D] - 56 violations
• 33127 [C] - 56 violations
• 33128 [C] - 56 violations
• 33129 [C] - 56 violations
• 33130 [C] - 56 violations
• 33131 [C] - 56 violations
• 33132 [C] - 56 violations
• 33133 [D] - 56 violations
• 33134 [C] - 56 violations
• 33135 [C] - 56 violations
• 33136 [C] - 56 violations
• 33137 [D] - 56 violations
• 33138 [D] - 56 violations
• 33142 [D] - 56 violations
• 33143 [D] - 56 violations
• 33144 [D] - 56 violations
• 33145 [C] - 56 violations
• 33146 [C] - 56 violations
• 33147 [D] - 56 violations
• 33150 [D] - 56 violations
• 33151 [C] - 56 violations
• 33152 [C] - 56 violations
• 33153 [C] - 56 violations
• 33155 [D] - 56 violations
• 33156 [D] - 56 violations
• 33157 [D] - 56 violations
• 33158 [D] - 56 violations
• 33159 [C] - 56 violations
• 33161 [D] - 56 violations
• 33162 [D] - 56 violations
• 33163 [C] - 56 violations
• 33164 [C] - 56 violations
• 33165 [D] - 56 violations
• 33166 [D] - 56 violations
• 33167 [D] - 56 violations
• 33168 [D] - 56 violations
• 33169 [D] - 56 violations
• 33170 [D] - 56 violations
• 33172 [D] - 56 violations
• 33173 [D] - 56 violations
• 33174 [D] - 56 violations
• 33175 [D] - 56 violations
• 33176 [D] - 56 violations
• 33177 [D] - 56 violations
• 33178 [D] - 56 violations
• 33179 [D] - 56 violations
• 33180 [D] - 56 violations
• 33181 [D] - 56 violations
• 33182 [D] - 56 violations
• 33183 [D] - 56 violations
• 33184 [D] - 56 violations
• 33185 [D] - 56 violations
• 33186 [D] - 56 violations
• 33187 [D] - 56 violations
• 33188 [C] - 56 violations
• 33189 [D] - 56 violations
• 33190 [C] - 56 violations
• 33191 [C] - 56 violations
• 33192 [C] - 56 violations
• 33193 [D] - 56 violations
• 33194 [C] - 56 violations
• 33196 [D] - 56 violations
• 33197 [C] - 56 violations
• 33198 [C] - 56 violations
• 33199 [C] - 56 violations
• 33206 [C] - 56 violations
• 33222 [C] - 56 violations
• 33231 [C] - 56 violations
• 33233 [C] - 56 violations
• 33234 [C] - 56 violations
• 33238 [C] - 56 violations
• 33242 [C] - 56 violations
• 33243 [C] - 56 violations
• 33245 [C] - 56 violations
• 33247 [C] - 56 violations
• 33255 [C] - 56 violations
• 33256 [C] - 56 violations
• 33257 [C] - 56 violations
• 33261 [C] - 56 violations
• 33265 [C] - 56 violations
• 33266 [C] - 56 violations
• 33269 [C] - 56 violations
• 33280 [C] - 56 violations
• 33283 [C] - 56 violations
• 33296 [C] - 56 violations
• 33299 [C] - 56 violations

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Miami, FL?

Miami has an average Home Safety Score of 59/100 (grade C) across 96 ZIP codes. There are 5376 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Miami have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Miami is 0.0031 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 58% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Miami at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 44,069 flood insurance claims in Miami ZIP codes, with an average payout of $14,151. 57 of 96 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Miami homes?

58% of Miami housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 9% 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 Miami water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Total Coliform, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Across 96 ZIP codes, 96 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

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Post-1986 construction is where the lower lead-solder risk lives, because that's when the federal ban on lead solder in plumbing took effect. In Miami, where the median build year is 1979, the housing stock falls broadly on the newer side of that threshold - a distribution that moderates aggregate plumbing-era risk compared to older housing markets.

1979

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Miami 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.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Miami

0.0031

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 Miami 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.

Flood & Climate Risk in Miami

How does Miami's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 44069 claims - enough to signal recurring events - and 0% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.

44,069

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~2203

Est. Claims/Year

Miami has a moderate flood history with 44,069 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.

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.

Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones - over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.

Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.