Is Panama City, FL tap water safe?
Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it
Summary
No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for City of Panama City Beach.
4 public water systems serve parts of Panama City. The largest, City of Panama City Beach, serves 67,205 people. Your water bill names your system.
Largest system
City of Panama City Beach
67,205 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID FL1030515
Buys treated water from Bay County Water System.
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.
Lead: 3.5 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2023, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0
Across Florida, 124 of 394 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 4 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Florida results.
Panama City homes and lead pipes
Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.
Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Panama City city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
Other water systems serving Panama City
- Bay County Water System40,848 people · Surface water · Florida · lists this cityNo PFAS above limits
- Panama City Water System34,345 people · Purchased surface water · Florida · lists this cityNo PFAS above limits
- Creekside Estates Pc, LLC30 people · Groundwater · Florida · lists this cityNot in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Crestview 67 mi Crestview, City of Water Dept. | None above limits | 1.3 ppb |
| Tallahassee 87 mi City of Tallahassee | Above limit | 1.4 ppb |
| Pensacola 93 mi Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) | Above limit | 0.6 ppb |
| Gainesville 201 mi Gainesville Regional Utilities – Murphree Water Treatment Plant | None above limits | 0.7 ppb |
| Ocala 221 mi City of Ocala | Above limit | 0.7 ppb |
| Tarpon Springs 222 mi Tarpon Springs Water System | Above limit | 1.6 ppb |
Panama City ZIP codes (2)
- 32401
- 32405
Questions
Is Panama City tap water safe to drink?
City of Panama City Beach has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.
Who supplies water in Panama City, FL?
4 public water systems serve parts of Panama City. The largest is City of Panama City Beach (67,205 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.
Does Panama City tap water have PFAS?
None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of Panama City Beach had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.
Do Panama City homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 55% of Panama City homes as built before 1980 (Florida: 34%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. City of Panama City Beach's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.
Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.