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Tap water and drinking water quality in Orlando, FL
WATER QUALITY REPORT

Orlando, FL tap water: what’s in it in 2026

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

Orlando Utilities Commission relies on Florida aquifer blends — chloramine, moderate hardness, and PFAS monitoring are the key data points. Theme-park city does not mean theme-park water quality.

Tourism-heavy areas have more transient housing with unknown plumbing age. Renters should filter; owners should test.

Lightning capital weather causes power outages at treatment plants occasionally. Follow boil notices literally — filters do not substitute for microbiological safety during advisories.

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

Check water hardness in Orlando

PFAS contaminationSulfur taste from Floridan AquiferDisinfection 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 ORLANDO WATER

Orlando 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 contamination
Sulfur taste from Floridan Aquifer
Disinfection byproducts
Public water systems in Florida
20,123
EPA PWSID (this report)
FL3480962
TTHMs (utility avg.)
53.4 ppb
HAA5 (utility avg.)
23.8 ppb
LEGAL DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN SAFE

Orlandowater 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 ORLANDO WATER

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

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
53.4 ppb (EPA limit 80 ppb)356× health guidelineModerate
This utility
53.4
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

Haloacetic Acids (HAA9)
32.7 ppbLower concern
This utility
32.7
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

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
23.8 ppb (EPA limit 60 ppb)396.7× health guidelineLower concern
This utility
23.8
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
20.6 ppbLower concern
This utility
20.6
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

Bromate
3.52 ppb (EPA limit 10 ppb)Lower concern
This utility
3.52
U.S. avg
1.64
State avg
1.69

Probable human carcinogen. Kidney toxicity at high exposure.

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Molybdenum
1.69 ppbLower concern
This utility
1.69
U.S. avg
2.35
State avg
2.37

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 2.35 ppb · FL utility avg: 2.37 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
0.84 pCi/L (EPA limit 5 pCi/L)Lower concern
This utility
0.84
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

Fluoride
0.733 ppm (EPA limit 4 ppm)Lower concern
This utility
0.73
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

Manganese
0.7 ppbLower concern
This utility
0.70
U.S. avg
5.69
State avg
1.99

EWG health guideline: 100 ppb

Long-term exposure at high levels may affect the nervous system. Staining and taste issues at lower levels.

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Strontium
0.54 ppbLower concern
This utility
0.54
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

2-propen-1-ol
0.18 ppbLower concern

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023)

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Chromium-6
0.05 ppb2.5× health guidelineLower concern
This utility
0.05
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

Nitrate
0.028 ppm (EPA limit 10 ppm)Lower concern
This utility
0.03
U.S. avg
1.10
State avg
0.22

EWG health guideline: 0.14 ppm

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 1.10 ppm · FL utility avg: 0.22 ppm

Removes with: RO

1,3-Butadiene
0.02 ppbLower concern

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023)

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Vanadium
0.02 ppbLower concern
This utility
0.02
U.S. avg
2.40
State avg
0.88

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 2.40 ppb · FL utility avg: 0.88 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Quinoline
0 ppbLower concern

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 0.02 ppb · FL utility avg: 0.00 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

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.

1

Orlando's Floridan Aquifer water has a naturally sulfurous hydrogen sulfide taste and odor.

2

PFAS from military and industrial sources has been detected in Central Florida groundwater.

3

OUC has logged DBP violations in past reporting periods.

4

RO removes sulfur compounds, PFAS, and DBPs -- recommended for Orlando 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 Orlando's water data changes:
WHICH FILTER TECHNOLOGY WORKS FOR ORLANDO?

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
RO
Ion exch.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Chromium-6
TEST YOUR TAP OR FILTER NOW?

Orlandoutility 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 Orlando'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 Orlando's water profile above, here's the exact system we recommend — and why it's right for this water supply specifically.

Clean water splash — certified water filter recommendations

Certified Filter Recommendations

Matched to what's actually in your water

TOP PICKS FOR ORLANDO
Contaminants detected in local water
#1
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 ORLANDO · Chosen for Orlando because PFAS contamination is detected in this system's UCMR5 data — reverse osmosis is the most effective residential technology, removing 99%+ of PFAS compounds.
#2
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.
Not sure which filter is right for you? Take the 3-question quiz →
WATER SYSTEM -- EPA SDWIS
System Name
Orlando Public water systems Commission Water
EPA PWSID
FL3480962
Population Served
310K
State
FL

COMMON QUESTIONS

Is Orlando tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Orlando 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 Orlando residents are pfas contamination and sulfur taste from floridan aquifer. Enter your ZIP above to see the full violation history for your specific water system.

Does Orlando water have PFAS?

EPA UCMR5 monitoring data for Orlando (water system FL3480962) 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 Orlando 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 Orlando 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 Orlando?

For Orlando's water profile — pfas contamination, sulfur taste from floridan aquifer — 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 Orlando 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 Orlando Public water systems Commission Water · PWSID FL3480962
💡 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
Get Orlando water alerts

We'll notify you when new PFAS data, EPA violations, or contamination alerts drop for Orlando. One email, no spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Fix My Water — Free →

RELATED GUIDES

PFAS
Is PFAS in My Tap Water?
Lead
Best Filters for Lead Removal
Filters
What Filter Removes PFAS?
EPA
What Does an EPA Violation Mean?
Filters
Reverse Osmosis: Pros & Cons
Health
Tap Water Safety During Pregnancy
RANKINGS
Worst Water Systems in the US

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Los Angeles, CA
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Browse all 50 states — all free →

Water public water system operators: Publish your official CCR on WaterCheckup free →

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