What PFAS are
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been used in nonstick cookware, stain- and water-resistant fabrics, packaging and some firefighting foams. They break down very slowly. PFOA and PFOS are the best known. EPA's PFAS pages explain the federal rules and their compliance timelines.
Finding data for Florida City
- Ask the utility: the City of Florida City's report lists the Utilities office at 305-248-6855 for questions about the report or the water utility.
- EPA UCMR 5: EPA's fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule sampled public water systems for 29 PFAS; EPA publishes the results by system name.
- Nearby county systems: if your home is outside city limits on WASD's South Dade Water Supply System, WASD's 2025 report includes a PFAS table for that system, with a note that initial compliance monitoring is underway.
Read the numbers in their source, with the year and system, rather than relying on summaries.
Choosing a filter
- Look for NSF/ANSI 53 (filters) or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) certification that specifically lists PFOA and PFOS reduction.
- Match the exact model number on the certifier's listing.
- Replace cartridges and membranes on schedule; claims only hold within rated capacity.
Living Water does not claim its systems remove PFAS. Jorge will tell you to verify the certification of any model, including anything he shows you.
Testing for PFAS
PFAS testing needs a certified lab using EPA methods. Jorge's free in-home screening covers chlorine, hardness, TDS, pH and iron, not PFAS. He can help you read utility data and decide whether a lab test makes sense. See home screening vs. lab analysis.
Private wells
No utility data covers a private well. A certified lab is the only way to know. See well water near Florida City.
Reading PFAS results when you get them
PFAS results are reported per compound, usually in parts per trillion, with a minimum reporting level below which a result shows as not detected. Federal limits apply to running averages under the rule's schedule, not to a single sample. Compare any result with EPA's current rule on its PFAS drinking water pages, and ask the utility how it plans to respond if a value is near a limit.
Talk it through
Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974. He will walk through the data with you in plain words.
https://www.floridacityfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/348/2025-Florida-City-CCR-FINAL
https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/water/documents/2025-water-quality-report.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule
https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist