Water Quality in Miami, FL: 119 Violations - Grade N/A
10 water systems · 56 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 119 violations across 56 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Miami. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Miami
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33167 | 51 | 0 | View report → |
| 33168 | 51 | 0 | View report → |
| 33147 | 40 | 0 | View report → |
| 33161 | 30 | 0 | View report → |
| 33162 | 30 | 0 | View report → |
| 33181 | 30 | 0 | View report → |
| 33144 | 29 | 0 | View report → |
| 33155 | 29 | 0 | View report → |
| 33170 | 27 | 0 | View report → |
| 33187 | 27 | 0 | View report → |
| 33142 | 24 | 0 | View report → |
| 33138 | 22 | 0 | View report → |
| 33150 | 22 | 0 | View report → |
| 33169 | 14 | 0 | View report → |
| 33179 | 14 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Miami, Florida has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 56 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 119 violations (all classified as monitoring/reporting type in the available record) across 56 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Miami water systems is 0.0034 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 56 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 58% of homes built before 1986, Miami 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 Miami
Miami is served by 10 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 1,849,309 people across 96 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
The EPA has taken 126 enforcement actions against water systems serving Miami. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Miami
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
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 Miami Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Miami's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 192 | 56 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 192 | 56 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 26 | 13 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 22 | 16 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 12 | 2 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 8 | 8 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 26 enforcement actions against water systems serving Miami. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2024-12-18 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-09-10 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-04-10 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-02-22 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-02-01 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-01-31 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-01-30 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-12-31 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2023-12-31 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-11-06 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2024-12-18.
Miami vs. Nearby Florida Cities
How Miami's water quality compares to similar cities in Florida:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 56 | 119 | 10 | 1,849,309 |
| Orlando | 33 | 130 | 20 | 1,072,954 |
| Jacksonville | 32 | 35 | 13 | 945,632 |
| Fort Lauderdale | 27 | 630 | 18 | 849,882 |
Recommended Water Filters for Miami
Based on contaminants detected in Miami's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Total Trihalomethanes, Hazard Index PFAS
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)
- Removes: Haloacetic Acids
- Effectiveness: 60-80%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)
- Removes: Chloramines
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
- Berkey Travel
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Miami
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Miami's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 33167 | 51 | 0 |
| 33168 | 51 | 0 |
| 33147 | 40 | 0 |
| 33161 | 30 | 0 |
| 33162 | 30 | 0 |
| 33181 | 30 | 0 |
| 33144 | 29 | 0 |
| 33155 | 29 | 0 |
| 33170 | 27 | 0 |
| 33187 | 27 | 0 |
| 33142 | 24 | 0 |
| 33138 | 22 | 0 |
| 33150 | 22 | 0 |
| 33169 | 14 | 0 |
| 33179 | 14 | 0 |
Common Questions About Miami Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Miami, Florida:
Is Miami water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Miami's 10 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Miami tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 56 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Miami? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house poe) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Miami vs. Florida Average
Understanding how Miami 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 Miami.
ZIP Codes in Miami
Miami spans 96 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 56 directly mapped ZIP codes. 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
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.