Tap Water Results

Is Pensacola, FL tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA), the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFAS Hazard Index) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

5 public water systems serve parts of Pensacola. The largest, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA), serves 242,172 people, and 3 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA)

242,172 people · Groundwater · EPA ID FL1170525

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Above limit
15.5 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFOS
Above limit
24.2 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFHxS
Above limit
30 ppt10 pptAbove limit
PFNA
Rounds to the limit
14.8 ppt10 pptRounds to the limit
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

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.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 99% of the Florida systems EPA tested, the PFOS average is higher than at 93% of the Florida systems EPA tested and the PFHxS average is higher than at 99% of the Florida systems EPA tested.

Lead: 0.6 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

Full Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) results

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.

Pensacola homes and lead pipes

65%
of homes built before 1980 (Florida 34%, US 50%)
17%
built before 1950 (Florida 4%)
36%
of households rent (Florida 32%)

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 Pensacola city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Pensacola

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Crestview 42 mi
Crestview, City of Water Dept.
Crestview, City of Water Dept.None above limits1.3 ppb
Panama City 92 mi
City of Panama City Beach
City of Panama City BeachNone above limits3.5 ppb
Tallahassee 175 mi
City of Tallahassee
City of TallahasseeAbove limit1.4 ppb
Gainesville 293 mi
Gainesville Regional Utilities – Murphree Water Treatment Plant
Gainesville Regional Utilities – Murphree Water Treatment PlantNone above limits0.7 ppb
Tarpon Springs 306 mi
Tarpon Springs Water System
Tarpon Springs Water SystemAbove limit1.6 ppb
Dunedin 309 mi
Dunedin Water System
Dunedin Water SystemNone above limits1.5 ppb
Pensacola ZIP codes (4)
  • 32501
  • 32502
  • 32503
  • 32504

Questions

Is Pensacola tap water safe to drink?

Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) has had no health-based violations since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. 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 Pensacola, FL?

5 public water systems serve parts of Pensacola. The largest is Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) (242,172 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Pensacola tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS and PFHxS and PFAS Hazard Index at Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA). Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Pensacola homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 65% of Pensacola 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. Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA)'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.