Florida Water Contamination Lawsuit [2025 Update]

The Florida Water Contamination Lawsuit is an active lawsuit

See If You Qualify

Florida is synonymous with tourism, expansive aquifers that are close to ground level, and vast wetlands. However, water contamination remains a problem for residents of the Sunshine State. This contamination has led to many lawsuits against the companies responsible for polluting Florida’s drinking water.

Florida’s large and relatively dense population, along with its unusual geology, make it vulnerable to drinking water contamination. Contaminants in public water supplies and wells can cause numerous health issues over time to Florida’s residents. Florida residents affected by water contamination are seeking compensation by filing lawsuits.

Florida Water Contamination Lawsuit Overview

Florida is home to the Floridan Aquifer, a 100,000 square-mile network of porous limestone that extends throughout the entire state. This aquifer sits at ground level over much of the state, giving rise to Florida’s many natural springs and sinkholes. Around 90% of all of Florida’s drinking water is drawn from aquifers. This extensive, linked system is vulnerable to water contamination from industrial sites, military bases, landfills, and airports.

One concerning pollutant is a humanmade chemical called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances). These chemical compounds, which are sometimes called “forever chemicals,” are resistant to natural decay and can accumulate in the bodies of animals, including humans. PFAS are linked to serious health conditions like cancer, kidney disease, and thyroid problems. These chemicals have been detected in drinking water throughout Florida.

Although Florida is currently investigating the presence of PFAS in drinking water, it does not currently impose a maximum contamination level (MCL) for drinking water. It is unclear whether the state will pass regulations ahead of the federal government. As people in Florida continue to drink water contaminated in PFAS and develop serious diseases, they are filing lawsuits against the polluters.

Timeline of Water Contamination in Florida | 2025 Update

• May 2025: EPA Administrator Zeldin announced the agency’s intention to keep the federal guidelines on PFOS and PFOA proposed by the previous administration, setting a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 ppt (parts per trillion). Testing of public water systems for PFAS in Florida is required to be in place by 2027.
• April 2025: After having scrapped the regulations proposed under the previous administration, the U.S. EPA announced a new action plan for PFAS.
• November 2024: A comprehensive study of 50 freshwater springs in Florida draws 90 samples. Of these samples, 63% detected at least one PFAS chemical. Three springs located within a 10-mile radius around Deltona had the most contaminated samples. The report recommends further study.
• April 2024: The EPA sets enforceable drinking water limits for PFAS. Many states, including Florida, do not currently set their own MCLs on PFAS.
• January 2023: The EPA’s nationwide study detects PFAS in some Tampa Bay area drinking water systems.
• March 2022: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection releases a PFAS Dynamic Plan, setting a health advisory level (HAL) of 70 ppt for PFOS and PFOA in drinking water. This is not a regulation, but a guideline for evaluating drinking water quality.
• October 2021: Florida International University (FIU) conducts water sampling in South Florida. Tap water samples in Grapeland Heights tested 242 ppt for PFAS. The average sample in the study had a contamination level of 86.3 ppt.

About the Florida Water Contamination Lawsuit

Sources of Water Contamination in Florida

Water sources are subject to contamination from a number of different sources. Common activities and products that have contaminated drinking water supplies in Florida include:

• Firefighting foams used on military bases and airports (PFAS)
• Degrading pipes and water lines (lead and copper)
• Industrial sites (various chemicals)
• Floods (trihalomethanes, other contaminants)
• Naturally occurring sources (radionuclides)
• Agriculture (pesticides and fertilizers)

Many of these contaminants have been federally regulated, but PFAS present some particular risks, especially when they have been present in drinking water supplies for a very long time. Many states, like Florida, haven’t set drinking water MCLs for PFAS at all. For example, more than 8 million Floridians have been exposed to PFOS levels exceeding health guidelines between July 2021 and June 2024.

While PFAS contamination in Florida is still being measured and studied, a University of Florida study found PFAS levels exceeding the EPA’s proposed limit of 4 ppt in 23 of Florida’s 67 counties. Locations located in Central Florida and the I-5 corridor, Jacksonville, and parts of Miami and Fort Lauderdale were hotspots for PFAS contamination.

Florida’s Regulations for Drinking Water

Florida primarily follows federal guidelines on drinking water. While that puts it largely in line with other states for most contaminants, it also means Florida has been lagging when it comes to addressing PFAS contamination. Regulations include:

• PFAS: Florida does not set its own MCL on PFAS chemicals in drinking water. However, by 2027, the state plans to adopt EPA’s MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, which provides an additional two years to address violations.
• Lead: Federal regulations set an MCL of 15 ppb for lead.
• Copper: The federal action level for copper contamination is 1.3 ppm.
• Disinfectants: This category includes both disinfectant chemicals and their byproducts, such as chlorine and chloroform. These are governed by the EPA’s Stage 1 and Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rules.
• Arsenic: The EPA sets an MCL of 10 ppb for arsenic.
• Radionuclides: Radioactive materials can enter water both naturally and as a byproduct from nuclear facilities. The MCL for uranium is 30 ppb.
• Microbial Organisms: This includes various microorganisms that may cause illness. MCLs for these organisms vary depending on the risk they pose.

Florida Water Contamination Map

Florida faces some unique risks when it comes to water contamination. Given its high population, high population density, large number of military sites, geology, and the nature of its water supply, there are many factors that result in people drinking contaminated water. Interconnected water systems can expose large populations to contaminated water. For example, several sites in Florida recorded PFOS and PFOA contamination in groundwater over 1 million ppt. Many of these chemicals migrate through groundwater, a major problem for a state in which 90% of the population sources their drinking water from a giant aquifer.

Contaminants Found in Florida Drinking Water

Maintaining a clean drinking water supply is a challenge for every state. Florida has lagged in addressing PFAS contamination in drinking water, so the extent of contamination is unknown in many municipalities. While much of Florida’s infrastructure is relatively new, the state faces challenges in replacing aging plumbing that can cause localized lead or copper contamination.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

PFAS, a class of synthetic organic compounds containing thousands of different chemicals, are known for their ability to repel water and grease. Their strong chemical bonds make them resistant to natural decay. Exposure to several types of PFAS has been linked to health conditions like cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis.

PFAS contamination is often associated with its usage in AFFF, a firefighting foam once heavily used on military bases and airports. Groundwater near these sites often has high levels of PFAS contamination. Many states, including Florida, still haven’t taken significant action on PFAS. Many people are filing lawsuits against manufacturers of AFFF products.

Lead

Current federal regulations on lead in drinking water have been in place since 1991, when the EPA established the Lead and Copper Rule. This set the MCL for lead at 15 ppb. Nevertheless, lead contamination remains a challenge, particularly in aging water systems. Lead poisoning can damage brain development in children and cause neurological and kidney issues.

Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Trihalomethanes are typically byproducts of disinfectants. These byproducts occur when chlorine interacts with organic matter in the water supply. Long-term exposure to these chemicals has been linked to cancer, liver damage, and kidney damage.

Nitrates

Nitrates are a growing concern for Florida’s water systems. Contamination is typically caused by fertilizer runoff from agriculture and by animal waste or sewage. Nitrates can cause birth defects and “blue baby syndrome.”

Current Water Quality in Florida

With Florida lagging in the monitoring and control of PFAS in its water supplies, the quality of the state’s drinking water isn’t fully clear. Even factoring out PFAS entirely, Florida’s drinking water has many concerning issues. A 2017 study found Florida had the second-highest number of people exposed to Safe Drinking Water Act violations. Persistent problems include disinfection byproduct contamination (TTHMs) and nitrate and nitrite runoff from agriculture.

Counties with recent drinking water violations in Florida include:

• Bay County
• Brevard County
• Charlotte County
• Columbia County
• DeSoto County
• Flagler County
• Highlands County
• Jackson County
• Lake County
• Lee County
• Miami-Dade County
• Okeechobee County
• Osceola County
• Palm Beach County
• Polk County
• Putnam County
• Seminole County
• St. Lucie County
• Sumter County
• Taylor County
• Volusia County
• Washington County

Water Treatment Efforts in Florida

Florida has recently created a Blue-Green Algae Task Force to help address the effects of nitrates in Florida’s water. Florida has also been working on grant programs to provide communities with better access to clean water. Tampa is implementing the Suspended Ion Exchange (SIX) system into its water treatment, intended to help remove PFAS and other contaminants.

Health Risks and Symptoms Linked to Drinking Water in Florida

Exposure to contaminated drinking water, especially over the long term, is associated with serious health risks. High-profile cases involving veterans exposed to high levels of contaminants on military bases show significantly elevated risks of blood cancers, including 35% higher rates of multiple myeloma.

Unsafe levels of these chemicals are linked to:

• Birth defects
• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Changes in liver enzymes
• Decreased vaccine effectiveness
• Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Lowered immune response
• Multiple-myeloma
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Reproductive issues
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid disease
• Ulcerative colitis

Eligibility Criteria for the Florida Water Contamination Lawsuit

To be eligible for a Florida water contamination lawsuit, individuals must meet these criteria:

Duration of Exposure: Individuals must have lived or worked in a contaminated area in the state of Florida for at least one year.

Specific Diagnoses: Our firm is evaluating cases with a diagnosis of:

• Kidney Cancer
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Thyroid Disease
• Thyroid Cancer
• Testicular Cancer
• Liver Cancer

Supporting Documents: Individuals will need to gather documents to support their claim. These include proof of residence and/or proof of employment, medical records, and medical bills.

Florida Water Contamination Settlement and Payout Amounts

Water contamination lawsuit settlements vary depending on the harm an individual has suffered as a result of exposure. This amount may take into account lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Individuals exposed during childhood may be eligible for larger awards due to the increased impact on their lives.

Settlements typically range between $30,000 and $300,000. Cases involving cancer often fall between $100,000 and $300,000. Minor injuries or injuries that fail to establish a strong link to the defendant may have lower payouts, while serious, ongoing conditions with strong links may have higher payouts.

How to File a Florida Water Contamination Lawsuit

Filing a water contamination lawsuit in Florida has around five or six general steps. These are:

• Consult A Lawyer: Filing a lawsuit is a time-consuming process with strict timelines and guidelines. An experienced attorney will help you navigate the process and advise you on the strength of your case.
• Collect Evidence: The strength of your case will depend on the evidence you’re able to gather.
• File The Case: Your attorney can help you draft and submit necessary documentation within Florida’s statute of limitations.
• Pre-Trial Procedures: Both sides of the case will communicate, sharing evidence and conducting interrogations if needed.
• Settlement: If a settlement can be reached, your attorney will negotiate a payout amount.
• Trial: In cases where a settlement cannot be reached, your case will go to trial. Trial awards may be higher than settlements, but you also risk receiving nothing if the case is lost.

Evidence to Support Your Florida Water Contamination Claim:

Cases with strong evidence have a higher chance of receiving a large settlement. To fortify your case, gather the following items:

• Proof of Residence and/or Employment: Use utility bills, pay stubs, military deployment records, etc.
• Environmental Studies: Water quality reports and studies that connect your location to contamination.
• Medical Documents: Records that show you’ve been diagnosed with a qualifying illness.
• Expert Testimonies and Personal Statements: Use expert and witness input to support your claim.
• Receipts and Bills: Submit related costs such as medical bills to show financial damages.

Statute of Limitations for Florida Water Contamination Claims

Cases must be filed within a specific window of time called the statute of limitations. In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury is typically two years from the date of injury. However, like many states, Florida has a “discovery” rule. This rule may apply in cases where the injury wasn’t discovered until later. In such cases, the clock starts on the date the injury was discovered or when it reasonably should have been discovered.

Navigating these rules and exceptions can be complex. Consulting with an experienced attorney can give you a better idea of whether you qualify for an extension. Regardless, it’s in your interest to act quickly if you believe you’ve been injured by water contamination in Florida.

Florida Water Contamination Lawyers

King Law attorneys are experienced with Florida water contamination lawsuits, and have represented clients in military, civilian, and municipal cases involving exposure to PFAS chemicals. Our partners can help evaluate your case, prepare documentation, and represent you throughout the process.

Contact us today for a free consultation with no obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)