Statewide Compliance and Testing

• Overall Compliance: The majority of Florida’s 5,800 public water systems meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, though the state faces potential water supply shortages as early as 2025 due to rapid population growth and climate challenges.
• PFAS Monitoring: Florida has documented some of the highest PFAS concentrations in the nation, particularly in the Miami area with 47 ppt of PFOS detected at Miami International Airport and 58 ppt at Miami Beach, well above new EPA limits of 4 ppt.
• Infrastructure Investment: Over $118 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been allocated to Florida for water infrastructure improvements, with additional state investments from Seminole gaming compact revenues.

Major Water Sources and Challenges

• Floridan Aquifer System: Primary groundwater source for most of the state, providing some of the cleanest water in the country but facing increasing demand and potential saltwater intrusion in coastal areas.
• Surface Water and Springs: Over 1,000 freshwater springs provide 90% of drinking water, but recent University of Florida studies found PFAS contamination in 63% of spring vent samples and 68% of spring run samples.
• Water Supply Shortage Projections: Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research projects potential water supply shortages as early as 2025, requiring an estimated $1.7 billion investment through 2040 to avoid significant shortfalls.

Emerging Contaminant Response

• PFAS Regulation Implementation: New EPA drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (4 parts per trillion) take effect in 2029, requiring significant infrastructure investments from affected water systems, particularly in South Florida.
• Treatment Technology Deployment: Utilities like Tampa Bay Water are implementing advanced treatment technologies including activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis systems to remove PFAS and other emerging contaminants.
• State Legislative Response: Florida Department of Environmental Protection must report to the Legislature by January 2025 with proposed PFAS standards, following 2022 legislation requiring comprehensive state-level PFAS regulation.

Water Management Innovation

• Reclaimed Water Leadership: Florida leads the nation in water reclamation and reuse, with 35% of all water supply projects utilizing reclaimed water for irrigation, groundwater recharge, and industrial uses.
• Five Water Management Districts: Regional approach to water resource management through Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida Water Management Districts.
• Alternative Water Sources: Increasing investment in desalination, aquifer storage and recovery, and advanced water treatment to meet growing demand while protecting natural systems.

Looking Forward: 2025-2030

Florida’s water quality landscape faces unprecedented challenges as the state experiences continued rapid population growth while confronting potential water supply shortages and emerging contaminant concerns. The state’s innovative approach to water management, including leadership in reclaimed water use and regional water management districts, positions Florida as a model for sustainable water resource development. However, successful implementation will require continued collaboration between state regulators, water management districts, utilities, and communities to ensure adequate water supplies while addressing PFAS contamination and aging infrastructure. Florida’s $1.7 billion investment needs through 2040, combined with federal infrastructure funding, represents a critical period for modernizing the state’s water systems to meet both current and future demands.