Broward County Water Quality Report 2026
Hydralife Team
Water Quality Experts
Note: Data sourced from Consumer Confidence Reports, the EPA SDWIS database, and Florida DEP records. Contact your specific utility for the most current water quality testing results.
Introduction: Broward County's Water at a Glance
Broward County sits between Miami-Dade to the south and Palm Beach to the north — and shares many of the same water quality characteristics that affect drinking water throughout South Florida. The county's roughly 1.9 million residents are served by a patchwork of municipal utilities, with Fort Lauderdale's system being the largest and most studied.
Like its neighbors, Broward County draws water from the Biscayne Aquifer, treats it with chloramines, and delivers water that is legally safe but carries characteristics many residents find problematic: a chemical taste from chloramine disinfection, mineral hardness from aquifer limestone, and trace levels of disinfection byproducts that accumulate over years of consumption.
This report breaks down what Broward residents are actually drinking, focusing on the county's largest utility — the Fort Lauderdale Fiveash Water Treatment Plant — as well as regional variations across the county.
Major Broward County Utilities
- City of Fort Lauderdale — Fiveash & Peele-Dixie Plants
- Broward County Water and Wastewater Services (unincorporated areas)
- Hollywood — Joseph C. Gerwens Water Treatment Plant
- Pembroke Pines — Southwest Regional Water Treatment Plant
- Coral Springs — Coral Springs Improvement District
- Pompano Beach — Water Treatment Plant
Fort Lauderdale's Fiveash Water Treatment Plant
The George T. Lohmeyer (Fiveash) Water Treatment Plant in Fort Lauderdale is the primary water treatment facility for the city and several surrounding communities. Capable of treating tens of millions of gallons per day, Fiveash draws from the Biscayne Aquifer and processes water through a multi-stage treatment train before it reaches homes and businesses.
Fiveash Treatment Process
- Aquifer withdrawal from wellfields
- Pre-aeration and pH adjustment
- Lime softening — reduces hardness
- Sedimentation and filtration
- Activated carbon treatment
- Chloramination for disinfection
- pH stabilization before distribution
- pH: 7.6–8.4
- Total hardness: 150–195 mg/L (as CaCO₃)
- Chloramine residual: 2.2–3.9 mg/L
- Total dissolved solids: 140–190 mg/L
- Fluoride: 0.7 mg/L (added)
- TTHMs: 18–45 µg/L (limit 80)
Despite extensive treatment, the finished water still carries a chloramine taste and odor that many Fort Lauderdale residents find unpleasant. The plant's lime softening process removes some hardness minerals, but the water leaving the plant still qualifies as "hard" under standard water quality classifications.
Hard Water in Broward County
Hard water is one of the most common complaints among Broward County residents. With hardness levels typically ranging from 150 to 200 mg/L depending on the utility, Broward water is classified as hard to very hard — despite lime softening treatment at most major plants.
The root cause is the Biscayne Aquifer's limestone composition. As rainwater percolates through the porous limestone rock, it dissolves calcium and magnesium carbonates — the minerals that cause hardness. This process is so efficient in South Florida's limestone geology that even after treatment, significant mineral content remains in finished water.
Impact on Your Home
- White scale deposits on faucets and showerheads
- Spots and film on glass shower doors
- Reduced water heater efficiency (scale buildup)
- Premature appliance failure (dishwashers, washing machines)
- Reduced soap lathering efficiency — more product needed
- Hard water stains on sinks and toilets
Impact on You
- Dry skin after bathing (minerals interfere with moisturization)
- Hair may feel dull, straw-like, or harder to manage
- Chloramine + hard minerals = distinct taste many find unpleasant
- Potential for increased soap consumption (hair and body)
- No proven direct health harm from hardness minerals at these levels
For a comprehensive look at how hard water affects Broward County residents specifically, read our dedicated article on hard water in Broward County.
Chloramine Disinfection in Broward Water
All major Broward County utilities use chloramine (monochloramine) as their primary residual disinfectant. This switch from free chlorine, made by most South Florida utilities in the 2000s, was driven by the need to reduce regulated disinfection byproducts — specifically trihalomethanes (TTHMs) — while maintaining protective residual throughout long distribution systems.
Chloramine levels in Broward water typically range from 2.0 to 4.0 mg/L across different utilities and measurement points. The taste and odor of chloramine is distinctly different from free chlorine — often described as more medicinal, rubbery, or chemical — and many residents find it equally or more objectionable.
Broward Utility Chloramine Ranges
Other Broward County Utilities: Regional Variations
While Fort Lauderdale's Fiveash plant is the county's most recognized facility, Broward County has dozens of water utilities serving different municipalities. Water quality can vary meaningfully between utilities based on their source water withdrawal points, treatment technology, and distribution system age.
In general, utilities serving western Broward communities (Weston, Davie, Southwest Ranches) tend to have water with slightly different mineral profiles than those serving coastal cities (Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Hollywood Beach). Coastal utilities may have water with slightly higher TDS due to greater saltwater intrusion risk in their wellfields.
Residents who want to know the specific water quality parameters for their utility can access their annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which each utility is required to mail or make available online by July 1st each year. The EPA's SDWIS database also allows searching by utility name for historical compliance data.
Solutions for Broward County Residents
Broward County residents have the same spectrum of water improvement options as their South Florida neighbors. For drinking water specifically, the most practical and popular solutions are:
Alkaline Water Delivery from Hydralife
The simplest solution for anyone who wants better drinking water without touching their plumbing. Hydralife delivers 5-gallon jugs of pH 9+ alkaline water throughout Broward County on a recurring schedule. No installation, no maintenance, no chloramine taste.
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Filter
Excellent for homeowners who want comprehensive contaminant removal at the kitchen tap. RO removes chloramine, disinfection byproducts, heavy metals, and most other contaminants. Requires professional installation and regular filter replacement (typically $100–200/year in ongoing costs).
Whole-House Water Softener
Addresses hardness throughout the entire home — kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room. Does not remove chloramine or most contaminants. Typically costs $1,500–$3,500 installed, plus ongoing salt purchases. Best combined with a drinking water filter for comprehensive protection.
Ready to upgrade your water? Learn more about Hydralife's delivery service or see why alkaline water is the preferred choice for South Florida families and businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — Broward County water meets all Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. However, it contains chloramines (for disinfection), hard minerals, and trace disinfection byproducts that many residents find unpleasant or concerning. Families with young children or individuals with health sensitivities often choose purified or alkaline water alternatives.
The taste comes from chloramines — the combination of chlorine and ammonia used to disinfect water. Fort Lauderdale's Fiveash Water Treatment Plant treats water with chloramines before it enters the distribution system. Unlike free chlorine, chloramine does not dissipate by letting water sit or boiling it, so the taste persists.
Yes. Water in Broward County typically has a hardness of 150–200 mg/L (as calcium carbonate), putting it in the "hard" to "very hard" category. This causes scale buildup on appliances and fixtures, reduces soap lathering, and can leave skin and hair feeling dry. Many residents use water softeners or choose delivered alkaline water for drinking.
Water quality varies by utility and infrastructure age rather than by city reputation. Older areas of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach may have aging pipe infrastructure that affects water at the tap. Areas served by smaller municipal utilities may have less treatment capacity. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's annual reports list any violations by utility.
Hydralife delivers premium alkaline water throughout Broward County including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, and surrounding areas. We offer flexible delivery schedules and reusable 5-gallon jugs — a convenient upgrade from tap water with zero installation required.
Better Water for Broward County
Broward County's water is safe and compliant — but for daily drinking, many residents and families choose to go a step beyond what the tap offers. Hydralife makes it easy with scheduled alkaline water delivery throughout Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and the rest of Broward County.
Start Your Broward County Delivery
Clean, pH 9+ alkaline water delivered to your home or office on a schedule that fits your life. No installation, no hassle.
Get StartedDisclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only based on publicly available water quality data. Contact your local utility for current results specific to your address. This does not constitute health or medical advice.
Hydralife Team
Water Quality Experts
Our team of hydration specialists brings years of experience in water purification, ionization technology, and South Florida water quality analysis.