Tap Water Quality Report
Tap water quality in FLORENCE, Alabama
Tap water in FLORENCE, Alabama receives a grade of D (65/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by FLORENCE WATER DEPARTMENT, CITY OF. The most significant water quality concerns are: PFAS contamination; Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database.
What's in FLORENCE's tap water
Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utility serving FLORENCE.
PFAS contamination
Severe concernPerfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) detected. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer and immune effects with no known safe exposure threshold.
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernPerfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) detected at 0.37 ppt, 370x above the EWG health guideline of 0.001 ppt.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 18.9 ppb, 315x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 25.9 ppb, 173x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
EPA compliance record
Official U.S. EPA records for FLORENCE WATER DEPARTMENT, CITY OF (system ID AL0000783) for the last 3 years. Checked 2026-10-07.
| Rule | Type | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic Organic Chemicals | Missed testing or reporting | 07/01/2025 | Open |
Source: U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), from the Safe Drinking Water Information System. See EPA's full report.
Recommended filters for FLORENCE
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in FLORENCE's water supply.
Filter certified for PFOA/PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58)
$180-$750Reverse osmosis and some carbon block filters reduce PFAS. Look for certification to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFOA/PFOS.
Carbon filter certified for VOCs (NSF/ANSI 53)
$180-$599Activated carbon is effective for disinfection byproducts. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 VOC reduction.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
All contaminants detected in FLORENCE's tap water
Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) PFAS |
6.35 ppt | 0.3 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 1 | — | EPA violation |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) PFAS |
0.37 ppt | 0.001 | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | 370× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
18.9 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 315× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
25.9 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 173× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
15.6 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 156× over |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) PFAS |
3.57 ppt | 0.09 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 0.007 | — | 40× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
2.3 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 38× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
7.18 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 18× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
1.1 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 11× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.197 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 9.9× over |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
0.861 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 6.2× over |
| Nitrate and nitrite Inorganic |
0.709 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 5.1× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
226.3 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.1× over |
| 1,4-Dioxane Semi-volatile organic compound |
0.134 ppb | 0.35 | — | — | 50 | 1 | — | Below guideline |
| Atrazine Pesticide/Herbicide |
0.0125 ppb | 0.1 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 100 | 0.15 | — | Below guideline |
| Aluminum Heavy metal |
28.9 ppb | 600.0 | — | 200 | — | 600 | — | Below guideline |
| Beryllium Heavy metal |
0.03 ppb | 1.0 | 4.0 | — | — | 1 | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
17.1 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
2.43 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.338 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) PFAS |
3.24 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) PFAS |
1.25 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) PFAS |
2.0 ppt | 2000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) PFAS |
0.493 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0519 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.529 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
Treatment plant contact info
For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from FLORENCE WATER DEPARTMENT, CITY OF.