Miami is a lively city in Florida famous for its beaches, nightlife, and cultural spots. Wondering if the tap water in Miami is safe to drink? This article will address that question and share tips on enhancing the quality and taste of Miami’s tap water.
The Miami Tap Water’s Sources and Purification
Miami gets its tap water from two main sources: the Biscayne Aquifer and the Floridan Aquifer. The Biscayne Aquifer is a shallow underground water supply beneath Miami-Dade County and parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties.
The Floridan Aquifer is a deeper water source that stretches under most of Florida and parts of Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.
The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) is in charge of treating and delivering water to over 2.3 million customers in Miami and nearby areas.
WASD runs five water treatment plants that use various methods like lime softening, filtration, disinfection, and fluoridation to treat the water. Additionally, WASD adds a corrosion inhibitor to prevent lead and copper from seeping into the water from pipes and plumbing fixtures.
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Miami Tap Water’s Safety and Quality
The recent Water Quality Report from WASD states that the tap water in Miami meets or surpasses the standards set by the government for safe drinking water. WASD checks for over 100 different substances like bacteria, viruses, metals, chemicals, and radionuclides.
The report displays the amounts of these substances found and compares them to the highest levels allowed (MCLs) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
Even though the water meets these standards, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s entirely safe or healthy. Some of these standards are based on old information or what’s economically possible and may not reflect the latest research on the health impacts of certain substances.
For instance, the MCL for arsenic is 10 parts per billion (ppb), but the EPA’s recommended health goal for arsenic is zero because any exposure to this cancer-causing substance is considered unsafe.
Similarly, the MCL for lead is 15 ppb, but the EPA’s health goal for lead is also zero because lead can cause permanent harm to the brain and nervous system, especially in children.
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Ways for Improving Miami Tap Water’s Taste and Quality
If you’re worried about the quality and safety of Miami tap water, you can do a few things to make it better. A good way is to use a water filter that can get rid of or lessen the bad stuff in the water.
There are different kinds of water filters, like pitcher filters, faucet filters, under-sink filters, and whole-house filters. Just pick the one that works for you and fits your budget. Remember to change the filter parts regularly following the instructions from the maker.
Another way to make Miami tap water taste better and be safer is to boil it before you drink it or use it for cooking. Boiling can kill any harmful bacteria or viruses and lower the amounts of certain metals and chemicals.
But, boiling won’t get rid of all the bad stuff like PFAS, radium, or disinfection byproducts. So, it’s better for short-term or emergency use, not as a permanent fix.
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Conclusion
Miami tap water is usually okay to drink because it follows all the rules for clean drinking water set by the government. However, there are some substances in the water that, while not breaking the law, might still be a bit risky for your health if you consume them over a long time.
To make sure the tap water tastes better and is safer, it’s a good idea to use a water filter, boil the water, or keep it in a glass or stainless steel container.
