Also detected, no federal limit: PFPeA, PFBS, PFHxA.
Is there PFAS in Ft. Pierce Utilities Authority water?
Yes. EPA's final UCMR 5 results show Ft. Pierce Utilities Authority averaged 8.9 ppt of PFOS at its worst sampling point, 2.2 times the EPA limit of 4 ppt.
Ft. Pierce Utilities Authority is a public water system drawing on groundwater, based in Fort Pierce, Florida, serving about 58,000 people, including Fort Pierce, Port Saint Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 4 times across 2 sampling points between Jan 2023 and Oct 2023.
Every PFAS detected
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid |
4 of 4 | 12.0 ppt | 8.9 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid |
2 of 4 | 5.1 ppt | 2.6 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid |
2 of 4 | 4.5 ppt | 2.2 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic acid |
2 of 4 | 4.2 ppt | 2.1 ppt | none |
| PFBS Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid |
4 of 4 | 4.0 ppt | 3.9 ppt | none |
| PFHxA Perfluorohexanoic acid |
2 of 4 | 3.7 ppt | 1.9 ppt | none |
Not detected: PFPeS, PFHpS, PFTA, PFTrDA, NEtFOSAA, NMeFOSAA, PFHpA, PFNA, PFDoA, NFDHA, 6:2 FTS, PFEESA, PFMBA, PFMPA, PFDA, 4:2 FTS, PFUnA, PFBA, HFPO-DA, ADONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, 8:2 FTS.
Lithium, tested in the same program: not detected.
What the EPA limits mean here
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
What you can do at home
Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.
Other systems in Florida
- City of Bradenton 4 PFAS detected
- City of Titusville 1 PFAS detected
- Wellington Wtp none detected
- Ormond Beach none detected
- Northeast above an EPA limit
- Sarasota-city of none detected
All 409 tested systems in Florida
ZIP codes served
34945 34946 34947 34948 34949 34950 34951 34952 34954 34957 34981 34982 34994
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Cite this page
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Ft. Pierce Utilities Authority water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID FL4560490. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/florida/ft-pierce-utilities-authority/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID FL4560490). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.