Floridan Aquifer

Aquifer · Southeast

Serves 33 cities in our database · ~5,965,299 residents

215
Avg Hardness (PPM)
15.2
Avg PFAS (ppt)
4.3
Avg Lead (ppb)
33
Cities Served
Soft
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
215 PPM Very Hard
CONTAMINANT LEVELS Hardness 215 PPM TDS 330 PPM PFAS 15.2 ppt Lead 4.3 ppb Chlorine 1.3 mg/L Nitrate 0.2 mg/L

About Floridan Aquifer

One of the most productive aquifer systems in the world, the Floridan Aquifer provides drinking water to most of Florida. The limestone geology means naturally hard water with high mineral content.

Geography & Hydrology

The Floridan Aquifer underlies all of Florida and parts of Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina — roughly 100,000 square miles. The limestone and dolomite formations dissolve calcium and magnesium into the water, producing some of the hardest tap water in the United States.

How Floridan Aquifer Water Is Treated

Many Florida utilities use lime softening to reduce hardness before distribution. Reverse osmosis is increasingly common in coastal areas where saltwater intrusion threatens freshwater supplies. Chloramine is the preferred disinfectant due to warm temperatures.

Across the 33 cities we track, water from Floridan Aquifer averages 215 PPM hardness (Very Hard), ranging from 36 to 310 PPM. This is very hard water - most homeowners benefit from a water softener.

PFAS concern: Cities supplied by Floridan Aquifer average 15.2 ppt PFAS, exceeding the 2024 EPA limit of 4 ppt. An NSF P473 certified filter is recommended for drinking water.

Current Challenges

Saltwater intrusion from rising sea levels, sinkholes from excessive pumping, agricultural runoff (nitrates and phosphates), and emerging PFAS contamination from military bases.

Cities Supplied by Floridan Aquifer

Water quality varies by city due to local treatment, distribution infrastructure, and source blending.

Jacksonville, FL

209 PPM · Very Hard 826,664 residents

Sun City Center, FL

310 PPM · Extremely Hard 733,886 residents

Downtown Orlando, FL

210 PPM · Very Hard 536,466 residents

Clearwater, FL

225 PPM · Very Hard 506,353 residents

Largo, FL

220 PPM · Very Hard 506,353 residents

Port St. Lucie, FL

218 PPM · Very Hard 224,485 residents

Port St. Lucie West, FL

280 PPM · Extremely Hard 224,485 residents

New Port Richey, FL

220 PPM · Very Hard 214,403 residents

Tallahassee, FL

207 PPM · Very Hard 200,480 residents

Gainesville, FL

243 PPM · Very Hard 195,681 residents

Lakeland, FL

241 PPM · Very Hard 193,297 residents

Savannah, GA

36 PPM · Slightly Hard 168,958 residents

Melbourne, FL

197 PPM · Very Hard 167,753 residents

Palm Bay, FL

245 PPM · Very Hard 140,750 residents

Palm Coast, FL

255 PPM · Extremely Hard 112,324 residents

Kissimmee, FL

259 PPM · Extremely Hard 110,102 residents

Jupiter, FL

250 PPM · Extremely Hard 94,929 residents

Winter Haven, FL

240 PPM · Very Hard 87,537 residents

Daytona Beach, FL

213 PPM · Very Hard 87,534 residents

Deltona, FL

260 PPM · Extremely Hard 81,006 residents

Sanford, FL

248 PPM · Very Hard 79,715 residents

Port Orange, FL

235 PPM · Very Hard 71,096 residents

Ocala, FL

226 PPM · Very Hard 66,176 residents

North Port, FL

230 PPM · Very Hard 61,163 residents

Ormond Beach, FL

250 PPM · Extremely Hard 59,744 residents

Apopka, FL

252 PPM · Extremely Hard 59,113 residents

Valdosta, GA

42 PPM · Slightly Hard 48,959 residents

Leesburg, FL

310 PPM · Extremely Hard 43,148 residents

Hilton Head, SC

42 PPM · Slightly Hard 25,558 residents

Jacksonville Beach, FL

190 PPM · Very Hard 23,352 residents

Celebration, FL

200 PPM · Very Hard 11,178 residents

St. Johns, FL

280 PPM · Extremely Hard 2,498 residents

Bluffton, SC

55 PPM · Slightly Hard 153 residents

Recommended for Floridan Aquifer Water

Based on average water quality across 33 cities supplied by Floridan Aquifer.

Water Softener SpringWell SS1 ~$1,495 Scale Remover CLR Calcium Lime Rust ~$10 PFAS Filter Clearly Filtered Pitcher ~$90

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission on purchases. Recommendations based on water quality data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Floridan Aquifer water safe to drink?
Water from Floridan Aquifer meets EPA safety standards in all served cities. However, average PFAS levels of 15.2 ppt exceed the 2024 EPA health guideline. A certified water filter is recommended for drinking water.
Why is Floridan Aquifer water so hard?
Floridan Aquifer water picks up dissolved calcium and magnesium from the limestone and mineral formations it passes through underground. At 215 PPM average, this makes it very hard.
How many people drink Floridan Aquifer water?
Floridan Aquifer supplies drinking water to 33 cities in our database, serving approximately 5,965,299 residents. The largest cities include Jacksonville, FL; Sun City Center, FL; Downtown Orlando, FL.
Do I need a water filter for Floridan Aquifer water?
Yes. With PFAS averaging 15.2 ppt, a reverse osmosis or activated carbon filter is recommended. Look for NSF P473 certification.