Water Quality in Tampa, Florida

Source of Water

Tampa’s drinking water primarily comes from the Hillsborough River, supplemented by the Tampa Bypass Canal and the Morris Bridge Wellfield. The water is treated at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility¹.

Water Quality Standards

The City of Tampa adheres to the standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The annual Water Quality Report provides detailed information on the quality of water, including the presence of any contaminants¹.

Contaminants Monitored

Tampa Water monitors for various contaminants, including:

• Microbial contaminants: Such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
• Inorganic contaminants: Such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
• Pesticides and herbicides: Which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
• Organic chemical contaminants: Including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
• Radioactive contaminants: Which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities¹.

Water Hardness

Water hardness in Tampa is considered high. The average total hardness in the Tampa area is approximately 201 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 11.7 grains per gallon (gpg)². This level of hardness can cause scaling in pipes and appliances and may affect the efficiency of soaps and detergents.

Effects of Hard Water

• On Appliances: Mineral deposits can build up in pipes and appliances, reducing their efficiency and lifespan.
• On Skin and Hair: Hard water can cause dryness and irritation, making it difficult to lather soap and shampoo.
• On Cleaning: It can leave spots on dishes and glassware and make cleaning more challenging.

Solutions for water hardness in Tampa Florida

• Water Softeners: Installing a water softener can help reduce the hardness of the water. This is not the best option because water softeners exchange salt for hardness, adding an unhealthy amount of salt to your drinking water. Which is corrosive and bad for the environment. Its usage is also being banned in many municipalities.
• HydroFLOW: this is the best option for treating hard water. It lets you keep the healthy calcium in your water but renders it harmless by not allowing it to adhere to your plumbing and fixture surfaces. Learn more about the benefits of  HydroFLOW.

Additional Information

• Lead: Tampa Water has implemented measures to control lead levels, including corrosion control treatments to prevent lead from leaching into the water from pipes¹.
• Fluoride: Tampa Water adds fluoride to the water to help fight tooth decay, maintaining levels optimal for oral health¹.
• Disinfection: Tampa’s water disinfection method is temporarily switched from chloramine to chlorine periodically to add an extra layer of protection¹.

Tampa Water conducts extensive testing and monitoring to ensure compliance with all regulatory standards, performing numerous water tests annually¹.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the latest Water Quality Report available on the City of Tampa website.