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Water quality report

EMERALD COAST UTILITIES AUTHORITY (ECUA)

PENSACOLA, FL · 242,172 people served · EPA PWSID FL1170525

The bottom line

EMERALD COAST UTILITIES AUTHORITY (ECUA) (PENSACOLA, FL), which serves about 242,172 people, has no health-based drinking-water violations on record since 2016. Its most recent lead 90th-percentile sample was 0.6 ppb, within the 15 ppb federal action level. EPA's UCMR5 program detected PFAS 'forever chemicals' in this system: 6:2 FTS (0.2201 µg/L), PFPeA (0.1389 µg/L), PFHxA (0.111 µg/L). PFOA/PFOS levels exceed the 2024 federal limit of 4 ppt (0.004 µg/L). A certified water filter can reduce these at the tap — see the certified options for each below.

health contaminants on record

PFAS detected (UCMR5)

total violations on record since 2016 (incl. monitoring & reporting)

What the testing found

Measured levels from EPA violation records, compared to the federal limit (MCL). The black line marks the legal limit.

Lead

Within federal limit

Measured 0.6 ppb · federal limit 15 ppb · latest 12/01/2023 · 0 violations since 2016

No safe level. Damages developing brain/nervous system in children; linked to lower IQ, kidney and cardiovascular harm in adults. Usually enters water from corroding pipes/solder, not the source.

757 filters certified to remove this → Best under-sink Best reverse osmosis Best pitcher

PFAS "forever chemicals"

Detected by EPA's UCMR5 monitoring. The 2024 federal limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt (0.004 µg/L).

6:2 FTS

Detected

Measured 0.2201 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.005 µg/L

PFPeA

Detected

Measured 0.1389 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.003 µg/L

PFHxA

Detected

Measured 0.111 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.003 µg/L

PFHxS

Detected

Measured 0.0553 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.003 µg/L

PFBA

Detected

Measured 0.0407 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.005 µg/L

PFHpA

Detected

Measured 0.0378 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.003 µg/L

PFOS

8.9× the 4 ppt limit

Measured 0.0357 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.004 µg/L

PFOA

6.5× the 4 ppt limit

Measured 0.0258 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.004 µg/L

PFNA

Detected

Measured 0.0162 µg/L · sampled 10/11/2023 · detection limit 0.004 µg/L

PFBS

Detected

Measured 0.016 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.003 µg/L

PFPeS

Detected

Measured 0.011 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.004 µg/L

4:2 FTS

Detected

Measured 0.0076 µg/L · sampled 6/29/2023 · detection limit 0.003 µg/L

See PFAS-certified filters → Best reverse osmosis

Your recommended fix

Filters certified to clean up your water

Your water shows Lead, PFOA, PFOS, PFAS. A refrigerator filter handles the most of this in one unit — these three are independently certified for the most of your contaminants (not marketing claims):

Best match for your water

Whirlpool

EDR3RXD1B

Covers 4 of your 4 filterable contaminants

REFRIGERATOR NSF certified

$46.12

23.1¢/gal

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Whirlpool

EDR3RXD1R

Covers 4 of your 4 filterable contaminants

REFRIGERATOR NSF certified

$46.12

23.1¢/gal

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Whirlpool

P1WB2

Covers 4 of your 4 filterable contaminants

REFRIGERATOR NSF certified

$46.12

23.1¢/gal

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Compare all certified refrigerator filters →

Want certainty about your tap specifically (not just the system)? A certified mail-in lab test is the gold standard — system-wide records can differ from your home's plumbing. Some links above are affiliate links — see our disclosure.

Sources & method. Contaminant levels and violations come from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (health-based violations, 2016–present); PFAS from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023–2025). Levels shown are the highest recorded value in the violation records; a violation means the contaminant exceeded its federal limit at the system level. Your home's water can differ from the system average. Public domain data; we are not affiliated with the EPA.