Molybdenum Contamination

Molybdenum in Florida Drinking Water

Ranked by max molybdenum detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

100

Cities Tested

Over HA

% Over HA

13.49 µg/L

State Avg

▲ 4% vs national

vs National

321

Health Violations

Analysis

Molybdenum in Florida: what the data shows

Florida has 100 cities with molybdenum data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Molybdenum exceeded the 40 µg/L EPA lifetime health advisory in 6 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 13.49 µg/L. Molybdenum is a naturally occurring trace element found in groundwater across the western United States, particularly in areas with shale or copper-mining geology. Industrial sources include mining, steel alloy production, and coal-fired power plants. There is no federal MCL — the EPA lifetime health advisory is 40 µg/L. Molybdenum is an essential nutrient at low doses, but chronic excess intake from drinking water has been linked to elevated uric acid, gout-like symptoms, and possible reproductive effects. Reverse osmosis is the most effective household treatment.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 40 µg/L EPA lifetime HA (no MCL)

Florida

6 of 100 cities

→ ▲ 4% above national rate (worse)

National avg

36 of 2205 cities

City Map

Molybdenum data across Florida

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 molybdenum testing data. Cities where molybdenum exceeds the 40 µg/L EPA lifetime health advisory are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by molybdenum level in Florida

Highest Molybdenum levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Florida cities ranked by molybdenum level

#	City	Level	Over HA?	Violations	Grade
1	Punta Gorda	196.00 µg/L	Over HA	101	F
2	Lakeland	100.00 µg/L	Over HA	27	D
3	Winter Garden	77.90 µg/L	Over HA	4	B
4	Auburndale	63.80 µg/L	Over HA	5	F
5	Clermont	62.00 µg/L	Over HA	58	F
6	Groveland	52.70 µg/L	Over HA	2	B
7	Crestview	37.00 µg/L	No	13	A-
8	Mount Dora	36.30 µg/L	No	6	A
9	Winter Haven	34.00 µg/L	No	28	F
10	The Villages	33.00 µg/L	No	1	B
11	Apopka	30.90 µg/L	No	14	F
12	Lady Lake	28.00 µg/L	No	18	F
13	Kissimmee	27.90 µg/L	No	26	F
14	Quincy	27.00 µg/L	No	32	F
15	Orange City	26.80 µg/L	No	14	C+
16	Fort Myers	26.00 µg/L	No	5	C+
17	Davenport	25.35 µg/L	No	14	F
18	Eustis	24.10 µg/L	No	16	B-
19	Zephyrhills	23.60 µg/L	No	18	F
20	Deland	22.90 µg/L	No	11	C-
21	Tarpon Springs	22.00 µg/L	No	3	B+
22	New Port Richey	18.29 µg/L	No	68	F
23	Brooksville	14.60 µg/L	No	41	F
24	Deltona	14.60 µg/L	No	19	B+
25	Lake Buena Vista	13.80 µg/L	No	0	A
26	Ocoee	13.10 µg/L	No	5	C-
27	North Port	12.50 µg/L	No	3	B
28	Orlando	12.15 µg/L	No	78	F
29	Destin	12.00 µg/L	No	0	A+
30	Minneola	11.90 µg/L	No	4	B-
31	Belleview	11.80 µg/L	No	18	F
32	Sanford	11.70 µg/L	No	8	F
33	Bradenton	10.00 µg/L	No	9	F
34	Leesburg	10.00 µg/L	No	49	F
35	Temple Terrace	9.60 µg/L	No	4	A-
36	Palm Bay	9.20 µg/L	No	8	B
37	Marco Island	8.20 µg/L	No	5	B-
38	Maitland	7.80 µg/L	No	1	B+
39	Tallahassee	7.50 µg/L	No	12	F
40	Live Oak	7.30 µg/L	No	23	D
41	Hialeah	5.80 µg/L	No	0	B-
42	Sarasota	5.70 µg/L	No	9	C+
43	Lake Wales	5.70 µg/L	No	56	F
44	Miami	5.40 µg/L	No	104	F
45	Lake Mary	5.00 µg/L	No	1	B
46	Cocoa	4.80 µg/L	No	1	A-
47	Winter Park	4.60 µg/L	No	6	C+
48	Niceville	4.60 µg/L	No	5	A-
49	Altamonte Springs	4.40 µg/L	No	3	C+
50	Sebring	4.00 µg/L	No	43	F
51	Port Charlotte	3.80 µg/L	No	4	B-
52	Bartow	3.60 µg/L	No	6	F
53	Fruitland Park	3.52 µg/L	No	15	F
54	Haines City	3.50 µg/L	No	17	F
55	Longwood	3.33 µg/L	No	9	F
56	Hialeah Gardens	3.30 µg/L	No	6	B+
57	Winter Pk/Casselbery	3.26 µg/L	No	0	A-
58	North Miami	3.20 µg/L	No	1	B
59	High Springs	3.10 µg/L	No	18	B-
60	Defuniak Springs	2.90 µg/L	No	10	B
61	Clearwater	2.80 µg/L	No	14	F
62	Fleming Island	2.77 µg/L	No	1	A
63	Wildwood	2.70 µg/L	No	2	B-
64	Avon Park	2.70 µg/L	No	6	C-
65	Alachua	2.70 µg/L	No	6	C+
66	Tampa	2.60 µg/L	No	64	F
67	Middleburg	2.60 µg/L	No	1	A
68	Casselberry	2.60 µg/L	No	10	B
69	Hudson	2.50 µg/L	No	4	D
70	West Palm Beach	2.40 µg/L	No	23	C-
71	Davie/Hollywood	2.40 µg/L	No	1	C
72	Miami Beach	2.30 µg/L	No	1	C+
73	Miramar Beach	2.30 µg/L	No	1	A-
74	Opa Locka	2.30 µg/L	No	1	B-
75	Boynton Beach	2.10 µg/L	No	42	F
76	Santa Rosa Beach	1.90 µg/L	No	5	A
77	Ocala	1.84 µg/L	No	91	F
78	Delray Beach	1.80 µg/L	No	7	C
79	Sunrise	1.70 µg/L	No	1	F
80	Dade City	1.67 µg/L	No	8	F
81	Tavares	1.64 µg/L	No	11	C+
82	Pompano Beach	1.50 µg/L	No	1	F
83	Fort Walton Beach	1.50 µg/L	No	4	A
84	Margate	1.50 µg/L	No	0	C-
85	Pembroke Pines	1.40 µg/L	No	8	F
86	Coral Springs	1.40 µg/L	No	17	F
87	Tamarac	1.40 µg/L	No	0	F
88	Jacksonville	1.30 µg/L	No	116	F
89	Palm Beach Gardens	1.30 µg/L	No	2	B
90	Homestead	1.30 µg/L	No	3	C
91	Safety Harbor	1.30 µg/L	No	1	A
92	Florida City	1.30 µg/L	No	26	F
93	Lauderdale Lakes	1.20 µg/L	No	2	C
94	Lauderhill	1.20 µg/L	No	6	F
95	Naples	1.10 µg/L	No	42	F
96	Vero Beach	1.10 µg/L	No	7	D
97	Pinellas Park	1.10 µg/L	No	3	B
98	Dunedin	1.10 µg/L	No	4	B-
99	Miramar	1.00 µg/L	No	2	F
100	Titusville	1.00 µg/L	No	1	C

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about molybdenum in Florida

Is molybdenum in Florida tap water harmful?

Molybdenum is an essential trace nutrient at low levels, but chronic exposure above the EPA's 40 µg/L lifetime health advisory has been associated with elevated uric acid, gout-like joint pain, and possible reproductive effects. 6 cities in Florida exceed the 40 µg/L health advisory.

Where does molybdenum come from?

Molybdenum occurs naturally in groundwater, especially in the western US in regions with shale, copper mining, or molybdenum mining geology. Industrial sources include mining tailings, steel alloy production, and coal ash. Surface-water systems generally have lower molybdenum than groundwater.

How can I remove molybdenum from drinking water?

Reverse osmosis is the most effective household treatment for molybdenum, typically removing 90%+. Anion exchange and some specialty media (like activated alumina) also work. Standard activated carbon filters are NOT effective against molybdenum.

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