Drinking water quality is a common concern for residents and visitors in Fort Lauderdale. The municipal tap water supplied by the City of Fort Lauderdale is generally considered safe to drink. This safety is a direct result of a multi-stage treatment process and strict regulatory oversight. Understanding the source of the water, how it is treated, and the testing protocols provides a complete picture of the city’s water quality.
Current Water Safety Status
The City of Fort Lauderdale’s water utility consistently reports that its public drinking water meets or exceeds the safety standards set by both the federal and state governments. This information is formally documented in the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), also known as the Water Quality Report, which is a mandatory public disclosure required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The city performs approximately 100,000 tests on its drinking water each year in state-certified laboratories to ensure compliance.
These extensive tests include daily checks for bacterial and chemical contaminants in the finished water, weekly checks in the distribution system, and quarterly monitoring of water supply wells. Official reports show that the city’s water has been in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards. The CCR serves as a snapshot of the previous year’s water quality, detailing where the water originates, what it contains, and how it compares to regulatory benchmarks.
Source and Treatment Process
Fort Lauderdale draws its raw water primarily from the Biscayne Aquifer, a shallow, high-yield underground source. Before distribution, this groundwater undergoes purification at the city’s treatment plants. Historically, the city utilized a conventional lime softening process with granular media filtration.
To meet more stringent water quality standards and improve the finished product, the city has upgraded its facilities to leverage advanced membrane treatment technologies. Treatment now includes coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation, where chemicals are used to clump particles together for removal. The water then passes through filtration systems, followed by disinfection using chlorine or other compounds to eliminate remaining viruses and bacteria.
Regulatory Oversight and Testing Standards
The safety of Fort Lauderdale’s drinking water is maintained through the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The EPA establishes the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for various substances, based on a lifetime of exposure. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) implements and enforces these federal rules in Florida.
Regulated contaminants include microorganisms, inorganic chemicals like heavy metals, organic chemicals, and radionuclides. The EPA’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulations set enforceable health standards for approximately 90 contaminants. The FDEP ensures compliance by reviewing testing data and conducting site inspections. The EPA also sets National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations for aesthetic qualities like taste, odor, and color, which affect consumer satisfaction but do not pose a health risk.
Addressing Common Local Water Quality Concerns
Despite the general safety of the municipal supply, residents often have concerns related to localized issues that affect the water’s aesthetics or quality. A common issue is water hardness, which is moderately hard in Fort Lauderdale, with levels typically ranging between 120 and 180 milligrams per liter. This hardness is caused by naturally occurring calcium and magnesium from the aquifer source and can lead to scale buildup on fixtures and appliances.
Taste and odor concerns are frequently linked to the disinfectants used in the treatment process, particularly chlorine or chloramines. While these chemicals are necessary to maintain safety throughout the distribution system, they can produce a noticeable taste or smell. Another localized concern is lead contamination, which rarely originates in the source water but can enter the drinking water from aging service lines and plumbing fixtures in older homes.
In the event of a specific, localized issue, such as a major water main break or flooding, the utility may issue a specific advisory, such as a boil water notice. This notice instructs residents to bring their tap water to a rolling boil for a full minute before consumption.