Water Quality: Tallahassee, FL
25 water systems • 243,154 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Tallahassee is served by 25 public water systems with a combined service population of 243,154 people, and has 625 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 68 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Tallahassee's violation count is 676% above the national average for Florida. Contaminants associated with violations include 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, Carbon Tetrachloride, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Gross Alpha.
Contaminants Found
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Hair loss, nail brittleness, and nervous system damage at elevated concentrations.
Common source: Natural geological deposits, mining discharges, oil refinery waste
EPA limit: 0.05 mg/L (50 ppb)
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Tallahassee
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TALLAHASSEE, CITY OF | FL1370655 | Groundwater | 200,480 | 7 |
| FLORIDA STATE PRISON | FL2040372 | Groundwater | 5,980 | 0 |
| WATER MGMT SERVICES (ST. GEORGE ISLAND) | FL1190789 | Groundwater | 5,272 | 16 |
| RECEPTION AND MEDICAL CENTER | FL2634222 | Groundwater | 3,000 | 2 |
| AVON PARK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL3532183 | Groundwater | 3,000 | 9 |
| NORTHWEST FLORIDA RECEPTION CENTER | FL1670733 | Groundwater | 2,500 | 49 |
| SUMTER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL6601737 | Groundwater | 2,008 | 45 |
| HARDEE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE | FL6254754 | Groundwater | 1,900 | 31 |
| LIBERTY CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL1394001 | Groundwater | 1,800 | 17 |
| OKALOOSA CORRECTIONAL INST. | FL1464034 | Groundwater | 1,800 | 4 |
| APALACHEE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL1320025 | Groundwater | 1,756 | 16 |
| GULF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL1234013 | Groundwater | 1,701 | 16 |
| OKEECHOBEE CORRECTIONAL INST | FL4474497 | Groundwater | 1,700 | 68 |
| BAKER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL2021356 | Groundwater | 1,500 | 11 |
| LAKE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL3350690 | Groundwater | 1,500 | 19 |
| POLK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL6531426 | Groundwater | 1,500 | 52 |
| MAYO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL2341182 | Groundwater | 1,400 | 73 |
| JACKSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL1324074 | Groundwater | 1,307 | 9 |
| JEFFERSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | FL2331185 | Groundwater | 1,300 | 22 |
| LANCASTER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE | FL2210647 | Groundwater | 1,175 | 7 |
| TWIN LAKES MOBILE HOME PARK | FL1370288 | Groundwater | 182 | 5 |
| TRANSITION HOUSE AT DINSMORE | FL2164401 | Groundwater | 150 | 7 |
| HINSON HEIGHTS | FL1204063 | Groundwater | 120 | 7 |
| DADE JUVENILE RESIDENTIAL FACILITY | FL4134358 | Groundwater | 75 | 123 |
| LAKE TALQUIN ESTATES (AKA DOGWOOD MHP) | FL1374072 | Groundwater | 48 | 10 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Florida
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.