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TALLAHASSEE, Florida Tap Water Quality

246,199 people served · 27 water systems

F
Failing

TALLAHASSEE, Florida is a mid-sized community with 246,199 residents served by 27 distinct public water systems. Water service covers ZIP codes 32303, 32305, 32312, 32316, 32399.

TALLAHASSEE has accumulated a significant number of EPA health-based violations. Reviewing the contaminants involved, requesting your utility's Consumer Confidence Report, and using certified point-of-use filtration is strongly advisable.

EPA reporting identifies Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), and Nitrate among the regulated contaminants associated with TALLAHASSEE's recent health-based violations. Each contaminant has different sources, health implications, and recommended mitigation steps — links to the full EPA reference for each are listed alongside the violation history below.

Last updated: 2026-05-18 · Source: EPA SDWIS

Location

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Centered on ZIP-code centroids of water systems serving this city.

ZIP Codes Served

3230332305323123231632399

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

EPA Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances reported by water systems serving TALLAHASSEE. Each entry explains the contaminant, the health risk, and recommended precautions, and links to a full guide.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)disinfectant

EPA Code 2456 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

17

violations

EPA Limit

0.06 mg/L

Last Reading

76.575 UG/L

First Reported

Oct 2021

Most Recent

Jul 2024

What this violation means

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) are the second major group of disinfection byproducts after TTHMs. They form by the same mechanism — chlorine reacting with organic matter — and pose similar long-term cancer risks. Utilities are required to test quarterly at distribution-system locations to track HAA5 levels.

Recommended precautions

  • →Activated carbon filtration removes most HAA5.
  • →Reverse osmosis is highly effective.
  • →Unlike TTHMs, HAA5 do not significantly off-gas. Use treatment rather than aeration.
  • →Long-term ingestion is the primary concern, not short-term skin contact.
Read the complete guide to Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)disinfectant

EPA Code 2950 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

16

violations

EPA Limit

0.08 mg/L

Last Reading

163.555 UG/L

First Reported

Apr 2021

Most Recent

Oct 2023

What this violation means

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter — leaves, soil, algae — in source water. They are among the most commonly reported violations because utilities pulling from surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) struggle to balance disinfection with byproduct formation. Long-term exposure has been linked to bladder cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Recommended precautions

  • →Activated carbon filters (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) effectively reduce TTHMs.
  • →Letting water sit uncovered allows TTHMs to off-gas — leave a pitcher in the fridge for several hours.
  • →Shower with the bathroom fan on; TTHMs can volatilize into the air during hot showers.
  • →Boiling reduces TTHMs through volatilization, but only after extended boiling.
Read the complete guide to Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Nitratechemical

EPA Code 1040 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

4

violations

EPA Limit

10 mg/L

Last Reading

10.6 MG/L

First Reported

Dec 2022

Most Recent

Oct 2023

What this violation means

Nitrate contamination is most acute in agricultural regions where fertilizer and animal waste leach into groundwater. The immediate risk is to formula-fed infants under 6 months — high nitrate levels prevent their blood from carrying oxygen, causing 'blue baby syndrome.' Pregnant women should also avoid high-nitrate water.

Recommended precautions

  • →Never give untreated high-nitrate water to infants — use bottled water for formula.
  • →Boiling does NOT remove nitrate. Boiling concentrates it.
  • →Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation are the only effective home treatments.
  • →Private well owners in farming areas should test annually for nitrate.
Read the complete guide to Nitrate
EPA Code 2982

EPA Code 2982 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

3

violations

EPA Limit

—

Last Reading

5.75 UG/L

First Reported

Jan 2022

Most Recent

Jul 2022

EPA contaminant code 2982. The full EPA reference for this code is available through the SDWIS portal.

EPA Code 2980

EPA Code 2980 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

2

violations

EPA Limit

—

Last Reading

5.75 UG/L

First Reported

Apr 2022

Most Recent

Jul 2022

EPA contaminant code 2980. The full EPA reference for this code is available through the SDWIS portal.

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Health-based violations only. Older violations may have been resolved; check your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for current status.

Water Systems Serving TALLAHASSEE

LAKE TALQUIN ESTATES (AKA DOGWOOD MHP)

PWSID: FL1374072

48 served

TALLAHASSEE, CITY OF

PWSID: FL1370655

200,480 served

AVON PARK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL3532183

3,000 served

LAMONT WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: FL1330754

222 served

BAKER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL2021356

1,500 served

SUMTER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL6601737

2,008 served

JEFFERSON COMMUNITIES WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: FL1330748

2,649 served

POLK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL6531426

1,500 served

NORTHWEST FLORIDA RECEPTION CENTER

PWSID: FL1670733

2,500 served

15 violations

WATER MGMT SERVICES (ST. GEORGE ISLAND)

PWSID: FL1190789

5,272 served

1 violation

LAKE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL3350690

1,500 served

HINSON HEIGHTS

PWSID: FL1204063

120 served

GULF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL1234013

1,875 served

JEFFERSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL2331185

1,300 served

APALACHEE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL1320025

1,756 served

OKALOOSA CORRECTIONAL INST.

PWSID: FL1464034

1,800 served

FLORIDA STATE PRISON

PWSID: FL2040372

5,980 served

OKEECHOBEE CORRECTIONAL INST

PWSID: FL4474497

1,700 served

2 violations

TWIN LAKES MOBILE HOME PARK

PWSID: FL1370288

182 served

MAYO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL2341182

1,400 served

RECEPTION AND MEDICAL CENTER

PWSID: FL2634222

3,000 served

TRANSITION HOUSE AT DINSMORE

PWSID: FL2164401

150 served

LANCASTER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE

PWSID: FL2210647

1,175 served

JACKSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL1324074

1,307 served

4 violations

LIBERTY CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PWSID: FL1394001

1,800 served

3 violations

HARDEE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE

PWSID: FL6254754

1,900 served

DADE JUVENILE RESIDENTIAL FACILITY

PWSID: FL4134358

75 served

17 violations

What Can You Do?

  • ✅ Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — required by law.
  • ✅ Use an NSF-certified water filter if violations involve lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
  • ✅ Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing (reduces lead).
  • ✅ Check back monthly — we update data from the EPA every 30 days.

About this data

This overview reflects EPA SDWIS data published as of 2026-05-18. It covers active Community Water Systems (CWS) that exceeded federal Maximum Contaminant Levels during the past five-year EPA reporting window. For up-to-the-minute information, request a current Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, or review the EPA's public dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TALLAHASSEE, Florida tap water safe to drink?▼

This city's water had numerous EPA violations in the last 5 years. Consider filtered water.

How many EPA violations does TALLAHASSEE have?▼

TALLAHASSEE has 42 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 27 water systems serving 246,199 people.

What contaminants have been found in TALLAHASSEE water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 2950, 2456, 1040, 2982, 2980. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in TALLAHASSEE?▼

Using an NSF-certified water filter is recommended if your area has violations involving lead, arsenic, or PFAS. For other contaminants, consult your local water utility. Check the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for detailed guidance.

What should I do if there are violations in TALLAHASSEE?▼

Request your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which is required by the EPA. Follow the utility's guidance on boil water advisories. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing. Use an NSF-certified filter if needed based on your water system's violations.

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