Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Hialeah?
Yes, tap water in Hialeah is safe to drink. It comes from the Biscayne Aquifer through the Miami-Dade system, softened and treated at plants located right in Hialeah, and meets all EPA standards.
Water Source
Hialeah is served by the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department's Hialeah and John E. Preston treatment plants, which pump from the shallow Biscayne Aquifer and use lime softening and air stripping; a jointly owned reverse-osmosis plant also treats brackish Floridan Aquifer water.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •Disinfection byproducts from treating organic-rich aquifer water are monitored and kept within EPA limits
- •Saltwater intrusion pressures the coastal edge of the Biscayne Aquifer; wellfields are managed and monitored to stay ahead of it
- •Legacy industrial solvent plumes in the aquifer near old wellfields are addressed by air stripping treatment installed decades ago
Water Quality Data
Key contaminants detected vs. regulatory limits. All values from the most recent published report — Source: Miami-Dade WASD 2024 CCR.
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine (total) | 1.1 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Fluoride | 0.72 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Lead (90th percentile) | 1.8 µg/L | 15.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| Nitrate (as N) | 1.4 mg/L | 10.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes) | 19.6 µg/L | 80.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids) | 13.2 µg/L | 60.0 µg/L | ✓ |
✓ = below limit ⚠ = above health goal ✗ = exceeds guideline
How It Compares
The Biscayne Aquifer is one of the most productive shallow aquifers in the world, but its porous limestone makes it vulnerable, which is why Miami-Dade pairs it with strict wellfield protection zones and layered treatment.
Tips
- •A chilled pitcher or carbon filter improves the slightly flat softened taste
- •The higher pH from lime softening is intentional and protects pipes
- •Miami-Dade WASD publishes the annual water quality report covering Hialeah
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality