Tap water and drinking water quality in Cape Coral, FL

WATER QUALITY REPORT

Cape Coral, FL tap water: what’s in it in 2026

Q: Is Cape Coral tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Cape Coral earns Water Safety Grade A- (82/88) on WaterCheckup - PFAS Concern. EPA compliance does not mean contaminant-free; sensitive households should still consider NSF-certified filtration.

Q: Does Cape Coral water have PFAS?

EPA UCMR5 monitoring for Cape Coral (PWSID FL1170525) is on this page. Check the table below for the latest UCMR5 snapshot. Only reverse osmosis (NSF 58) or NSF P473-certified filters reliably remove PFAS; standard pitchers do not.

Q: Does Cape Coral water have lead?

Lead usually comes from service lines and building plumbing in Cape Coral, not the treatment plant. Pre-1986 homes are highest risk. NSF 53-certified pitchers or reverse osmosis remove lead at the tap.

Q: What water filter is best for Cape Coral?

For Cape Coral's profile (PFAS Concern), reverse osmosis covers PFAS, lead, and disinfection byproducts. Renters can use a countertop RO; homeowners often choose under-sink NSF 58 systems ranked on this page.

Reviewed by Joe Letorney, 30-year water treatment expert · Former WQA Certified Water Treatment Specialist (CWS), Level VI

See best water filters for lead removal and what filters remove PFAS.

Serving 190K residents via City of Cape Coral Public water systems · Cape Coral, FL drinking water is supplied by City of Cape Coral Public water systems. EPA and public water system monitoring commonly focus on issues such as PFAS from military sites, Brackish groundwater, Disinfection byproducts. Finished water chemistry is only half the story: building plumbing, meters, and premise piping can add lead, copper, or particulates after the public water system meets treatment goals at the plant fence. Compare public water system-wide themes with ZIP-level monitoring and your annual Consumer Confidence Report for the service area that includes your home.

Check water hardness in Cape Coral →

PFAS from military sitesBrackish groundwaterDisinfection byproducts

82/ 88

WATERCHECKUP SAFETY SCORE

Grade: A-

Good

WaterCheckup Safety Score — an independent index from EPA public data and our formula. Not your utility’s official water quality rating, an EPA compliance grade, or a test of water at your tap. How we score →

Same score for your ZIP — look up your ZIP for the full contaminant report

✅

GENERALLY OK

Based on water safety score

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CAPE CORAL WATER

Cape Coral water currently shows no major violations in EPA monitoring data. That said, your home's internal plumbing can add lead or other contaminants after water leaves the treatment plant — especially in homes built before 1986.

⚠PFAS from military sites

⚠Brackish groundwater

⚠Disinfection byproducts

Public water systems in Florida

20,123

EPA PWSID (this report)

FL5360325

TTHMs (utility avg.)

29.9 ppb

HAA5 (utility avg.)

5.93 ppb

Browse Florida utilities →

LEGAL DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN SAFE

Cape Coralwater may meet federal EPA limits while still showing contaminants above independent health guidelines (EWG, state advisories). EPA MCLs are often set on treatment feasibility — not a "zero risk" threshold. Compare levels below to health guidelines and state/U.S. utility averages, then see which filter technologies address your profile.

CONTAMINANTS IN CAPE CORAL WATER

EPA UCMR5 PFAS plus utility/EWG averages from our contaminant bundle. Run a ZIP report for live SDWIS samples at your address.

Radium, combined (-226 and -228)

3.15 pCi/L (EPA limit 5 pCi/L)Moderate

This utility

3.15

U.S. avg

0.53

State avg

0.78

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 0.53 pCi/L · FL utility avg: 0.78 pCi/L

Removes with: RO · Ion exchange

Chlorate

294.3 ppbLower concern

This utility

294

U.S. avg

161

State avg

287

Can impair thyroid function — most concerning during pregnancy and childhood.

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

29.9 ppb (EPA limit 80 ppb)199.3× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

29.9

U.S. avg

31.0

State avg

29.9

EWG health guideline: 0.15 ppb

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 30.97 ppb · FL utility avg: 29.88 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Aluminum

14.5 ppbLower concern

This utility

14.5

U.S. avg

33.9

State avg

15.9

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 33.94 ppb · FL utility avg: 15.91 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

5.93 ppb (EPA limit 60 ppb)98.8× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

5.93

U.S. avg

21.6

State avg

17.4

EWG health guideline: 0.06 ppb (HAA5)

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 21.57 ppb · FL utility avg: 17.38 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Barium

5.45 ppbLower concern

This utility

5.45

U.S. avg

43.5

State avg

13.0

EWG health guideline: 700 ppb

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 43.45 ppb · FL utility avg: 13.05 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon · Ion exchange

Haloacetic Acids (HAA9)

4.38 ppbLower concern

This utility

4.38

U.S. avg

23.6

State avg

22.9

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 23.64 ppb · FL utility avg: 22.95 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Strontium

3.08 ppbLower concern

This utility

3.08

U.S. avg

0.60

State avg

0.77

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 0.60 ppb · FL utility avg: 0.77 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Fluoride

0.65 ppm (EPA limit 4 ppm)Lower concern

This utility

0.65

U.S. avg

0.49

State avg

0.50

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 0.49 ppm · FL utility avg: 0.50 ppm

Removes with: RO · Ion exchange

Chromium-6

0.09 ppb4.5× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

0.09

U.S. avg

0.54

State avg

0.12

EWG health guideline: 0.02 ppb (chromium-6)

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 0.54 ppb · FL utility avg: 0.12 ppb

Removes with: RO

U.S. and state averages from EWG Tap Water Atlas utilities in our database. For your exact tap, use a ZIP report — home plumbing can differ from utility averages.

Cape Coral uses an extensive canal system -- unique in Florida -- with elevated salinity risk.

PFAS from military and industrial sources has been detected in Lee County water systems.

Cape Coral water has logged DBP violations in past EPA reporting cycles.

RO handles PFAS, salinity, and DBPs -- recommended for Cape Coral residents.

PFAS TESTING — EPA UCMR5 DATA

EPA UCMR5 monitoring · Testing period 2023–2025 · Last updated Q1 2026

📋

No UCMR5 data on file for this system

The EPA's 5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) required systems serving 3,300+ people to test for 29 PFAS compounds between 2023–2025. This system either was not required to test, reported no detections, or has not yet submitted results to the federal database.

Source: EPA UCMR5 national dataset · Data current as of 2026

🔔 Get alerts if Cape Coral's water data changes:

WHICH FILTER TECHNOLOGY WORKS FOR CAPE CORAL?

Reference matrix — not specific brands. NSF-certified carbon blocks, reverse osmosis (NSF 58), and ion-exchange softeners address different contaminants. Product picks below match this profile.

Contaminant

Carbon

Ion exch.

Radium, combined (-226 and -228)

—

✓

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

✓

—

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

✓

—

Chromium-6

—

✓

—

TEST YOUR TAP OR FILTER NOW?

Cape Coralutility data is a strong baseline — but lead often comes from your home's pipes, and PFAS can vary by neighborhood. Choose certified lab testing for certainty, or skip straight to NSF-certified filters matched to this profile.

STEP 1 · VERIFY AT YOUR FAUCET

Test before you buy a $300+ filter

SimpleLab Tap Score mail-in panels test PFAS, lead, nitrates, bacteria, and 100+ contaminants at your kitchen tap. Results in about a week — then pick filtration with real numbers, not guesses.

Tap Score City Test — from $89 →

Accredited labs · Best if you have old plumbing, pregnancy, or want proof before installing RO

STEP 2 · FIX IT NOW

Ready to filter based on this report?

Get NSF 58 / NSF 53 picks matched to Cape Coral's PFAS, lead, and disinfection byproduct profile — reviewed by a 30-year water treatment expert.

Take the 3-question filter quiz →

Best when contaminants are already flagged above and you want the right RO or pitcher today

Clean water splash — certified water filter recommendations

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

Based on Cape Coral's water profile above, here's the exact system we recommend — and why it's right for this water supply specifically.

TOP PICKS FOR CAPE CORAL

⚠ Contaminants detected in local water

Aquasana SmartFlow RO

MOST CERTIFIED

Aquasana · ~$449

WQA Gold Seal + NSF 42/53/58/401. Most certifications of any under-sink RO. Removes 90+ contaminants.

WHY THIS FOR CAPE CORAL · Chosen for Cape Coral because PFAS contamination is detected in this system's UCMR5 data — reverse osmosis is the most effective residential technology, removing 99%+ of PFAS compounds.

Amazon →

AquaTru Under-Sink RO

EASIEST FILTER CHANGE

AquaTru · ~$375

NSF 42/53/58 certified. Quick-change filters, no tools. Compact tankless design, 4-stage filtration.

Amazon →

Not sure which filter is right for you? Take the 3-question quiz →

WATER SYSTEM -- EPA SDWIS

System Name

City of Cape Coral Public water systems

EPA PWSID

FL5360325

Population Served

190K

State

COMMON QUESTIONS

Is Cape Coral tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Cape Coral water meets EPA legal standards, but meeting legal standards is not the same as being free of health concerns. EPA limits are set based on treatment feasibility, not always on what independent scientists consider safe. The main concerns for Cape Coral residents are pfas from military sites and brackish groundwater. Enter your ZIP above to see the full violation history for your specific water system.

Does Cape Coral water have PFAS?

EPA UCMR5 monitoring data for Cape Coral (water system FL1170525) is shown above. PFAS — sometimes called "forever chemicals" — are synthetic compounds that don't break down in the body. Only reverse osmosis systems or NSF 58-certified carbon block filters reliably remove PFAS from tap water. Standard pitcher filters do not remove PFAS.

Does Cape Coral water have lead?

Lead in tap water almost always comes from the pipes inside your home or building, not the treatment plant. Homes built before 1986 in Cape Coral are most at risk because they may have lead solder, brass fittings, or lead service lines. The EPA has no safe level for lead in children. An NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system removes lead at the tap.

What water filter is best for Cape Coral?

For Cape Coral's water profile — pfas from military sites, brackish groundwater — a reverse osmosis system addresses the widest range of contaminants. Under-sink RO (Waterdrop G3P600, Aquasana SmartFlow) is the gold standard for homeowners. Renters can use a countertop RO like the Waterdrop K19-S Countertop RO — zero installation required. Clearly Filtered pitchers are the best non-RO option for PFAS and lead.

How do I get my Cape Coral water tested?

For the most accurate results for your specific tap, use a certified mail-in lab test rather than relying on city-wide data. SimpleLab Tap Score tests for 100+ contaminants including PFAS, lead, arsenic, and nitrates. Results come with a detailed health assessment and filter recommendations. City-wide EPA data like what you see above is a strong baseline, but your home's plumbing can add contaminants after the water leaves the treatment plant.

LEAD SERVICE LINE RISK

Does your street have lead pipes?

As of October 2024, all US public water systems must publish a public inventory of their lead service lines — the pipes connecting the water main to your home. Even if your public water system water tests clean at the treatment plant, lead can leach from these pipes into your tap. Homes built before 1986 are most at risk.

EPA Official Service Line Inventory →

Federal LCRR inventory data for City of Cape Coral Public water systems · PWSID FL1170525

💡 Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder or service lines. A filter certified NSF/ANSI 53 removes lead at the tap regardless of pipe material.

STAY INFORMED

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Check your specific address

City-wide data is just the start. Enter your ZIP to see your exact water system's EPA report, PFAS levels, and violation history — then get the right filter for your home.

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