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NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay) — EnvironmentOctober 25, 2026Hillsborough County

Environment America Research & Policy Center reports widespread PFAS contamination in Florida waterways

Photo: WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay) — Environment

A new report reveals that 96 percent of tested Florida waterways contain dozens of manufactured toxic chemicals known as PFAS, with contamination detected in rivers, streams, and lakes from Miami to the Panhandle. The findings coincide with a new state law that took effect July 1 aimed at addressing the issue by phasing out firefighting foam containing the chemicals. Researchers recommend banning industrial discharges of PFAS, ending the use of contaminated sewage sludge on farmland, and phasing out the chemicals entirely.

Water QualityEnvironmentPublic HealthPollutionState Legislation
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Why It Matters

Residents across Florida, including those relying on the Hillsborough River for drinking water and anglers consuming locally caught freshwater fish, face potential exposure to persistent toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other health risks.

Key Facts

  • Roughly 96 percent of 23 Florida waterways tested between 2022 and 2024 contained 43 different kinds of PFAS.
  • Nationwide, 83 percent of 1,602 waterways tested were contaminated with PFAS, with researchers detecting up to 114 different kinds of PFAS.
  • The Hillsborough River, which provides drinking water for Tampa, was among the contaminated waterways in Florida.
  • In central Florida, 36 PFAS compounds were detected at all six monitoring sites in Tiger Lake.
  • A new Florida state law took effect July 1 aiming to address the PFAS problem by phasing out aqueous film-forming foam.
  • PFAS are manufactured chemicals used since the 1940s in products like nonstick cookware, waterproof fabrics, cosmetics, and firefighting foam.
  • The highest PFAS concentration nationwide was found in a retention pond at the Brunswick Executive Airport in Brunswick, Maine, following an accidental release of firefighting foam in 2024.
  • Data for the report was collected primarily by the Environmental Protection Agency, Waterkeeper Alliance, and state environmental agencies in Maine and Massachusetts.
  • The report recommends phasing out PFAS, banning industrial discharges into waterways, and ending the use of PFAS-laden sewage sludge on farmland.

Who's Mentioned

locationBrunswick Executive Airport“Site of highest PFAS concentration in a retention pond in Brunswick, Maine.”OrganizationEnvironmental Protection Agency“Provided surface water monitoring data for the report.”PersonChristian Wells“Professor of anthropology and director of the Center for Brownfields Research an”locationHillsborough River“Florida waterway providing drinking water for Tampa that was found to be contami”locationHolloman Air Force Base“Location near Holloman Lake in New Mexico with high PFAS concentration.”locationTiger Lake“Central Florida lake where 36 PFAS compounds were detected across all monitoring”OrganizationU.S. PIRG Education Fund“Co-publisher of the report.”OrganizationWaterkeeper Alliance“Contributed surface water monitoring data.”OrganizationEnvironment America Research & Policy Center“Co-publisher of the report on PFAS contamination.”locationMilwaukee Mitchell International Airport“Location near waterways with high PFAS concentrations in Wisconsin.”OrganizationInside Climate News“Nonprofit, non-partisan news organization where the article originally appeared.”PersonJohn Rumpler“Clean water director and senior attorney at the Environment America Research & P”OrganizationUniversity of South Florida“Affiliation of Christian Wells.”OrganizationFrontier Group“Co-publisher of the report.”