Water Quality Report · Updated October 07, 2026
FLORENCE WATER DEPARTMENT, CITY OF
FLORENCE WATER DEPARTMENT, CITY OF delivers tap water graded C (65/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 77,766 residents in FLORENCE, Alabama using surface water. 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. For questions, the utility can be reached at 256-760-6637.
Is FLORENCE tap water safe to drink?
FLORENCE WATER DEPARTMENT, CITY OF delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (65/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.
The utility serves 77,766 residents in FLORENCE, drawing from surface water.
Public testing data identifies 13 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Dibromochloromethane, Chromium (hexavalent), Nitrate, Nitrate and nitrite, Chlorate. For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
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.
Quick actions for FLORENCE residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for FLORENCE WATER DEPARTMENT, CITY OF.
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.
Contact FLORENCE WATER DEPARTMENT, CITY OF
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Treatment Plant
Recommended water filters for FLORENCE
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this 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.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 65/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). 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 (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
FLORENCE WATER DEPARTMENT, CITY OF service area
This water system serves 1 community in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for FLORENCE water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.