People are more conscious than ever of the quality of their food and water, and Clearwater residents are no exception. Annual water quality testing reports reveal the water quality in the area and include all contaminants detected. The problem, though, is that the contaminant levels vary daily, and the reports are published well into the following year, so they’re accurate and helpful only in retrospect.
Even when contaminants are within federal, state, and local guidelines, that doesn’t mean they’re within recommended health levels. The objective of article is to clarify some terms used in the reports and the best way to determine healthy rather than safe. We’ll explain the terms safety and contaminants, and how to determine whether a filtration system is recommended.
Quick Takeaways
- Clearwater’s tap water meets EPA safety standards
- ”Safe” doesn’t always mean “free from contaminants”
- ”Safe” water can still contain trace levels of chlorine, metals, and PFAs
- Aging pipes can affect water quality inside the home, even though water quality in the area is good
- A whole-home water filtration system can provide additional protection while it also improves the taste of the water
Is Clearwater Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Briefly, yes. Clearwater’s tap water is considered safe to drink according to the standards set by the EPA and testing performed by the local municipality. The federal government sets water-quality standards, and as long as municipalities meet or exceed those standards, their water is deemed safe for human consumption.
However, there’s a difference between legally acceptable and ideally healthy. Some homeowners have concerns that Clearwater’s tap water contains various substances that aren’t considered healthy, such as:
- Metals and salts from stormwater runoff, domestic or industrial wastewater, and farming, mining, and gas and oil production.
- Organic chemicals, including VOCs
- Radioactive contaminants
- Microbial contaminants, including bacteria and viruses
Where Does Clearwater’s Tap Water Come From?
The majority of Clearwater’s tap water, about 60 percent of daily usage, comes from the Floridan Aquifer, which also supplies parts of South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. The remainder comes from Pinellas County Utilities and is a blend of wellfield groundwater, treated surface water,and desalinated seawater.
Water treatment processes use several technologies, including reverse osmosis, or RO, before the water is made available to consumers. RO removes suspended solids, salts, and dissolved molecules.
The taste and hardness of water are primarily determined by the location where it’s sourced. The pH of the water and the minerals in the soil will affect its taste.
What’s in Clearwater Tap Water?
Clearwater tap water can contain trace contaminants that may be within tolerance levels for GRAS, or Generally Recognized as Safe, substances, but are outside the range of what’s considered healthy, such as the following:
Disinfectants:
Cleaning agents and disinfectants are often washed down the drain, and then they travel to the water table. Chlorine or chloramines are commonly used to eliminate pathogens in water, but they’re not healthy.
Natural minerals:
Naturally occurring minerals such as calcium, iron, fluoride,magnesium, manganese, sodium, and sulfur are measured as total dissolved solids, or TDS, and many are beneficial to humans. However, harmful minerals such as arsenic, copper, and lead are not beneficial, but they may leach into the soil.
Trace contaminants:
By-products, lead, or PFAS at low levels can leach into the soil. They may not be at harmful levels, but they’re probably not at healthy levels either.
Understanding Water Quality Tests and Reports
Annual water quality reports are provided by many municipalities, government agencies, and private companies. They can be helpful but may not be easy to understand.
You should first read the Consumer Confidence Report to assess the safety of your tap water. Public water suppliers are required by law to provide this report annually, not later than July1, so that customers know the extent of their water quality. It will provide the source of your water, any contaminants it may contain, and any EPA violations that occurred in the previous year.
Sections of note include the:
- Contaminant table
- Units of measurement
- General indicators
- Sources and violations
If you have well water or a private system, you’ll need to request a lab analysis report from an independent company or government agency.
There is a difference between EPA limits and stricter health guidelines. Although the EPA has established minimum and maximum levels for some substances, it has recently set stricter guidelines for some forever chemicals. Those remain in the body and pose a health hazard to many people.
Why Some Homeowners Still Choose Filtration
Despite government standards and monitoring, some homeowners still choose to filter their water, either through whole-house filtration systems or for cooking and drinking. Whole-house systems are often used in areas that have hard water, high sediment levels, or chlorine. All these substances can adversely impact appliances, so it can ultimately be more cost-effective to invest in a whole-house water filter.
Chlorine sensitivity or allergic reactions can develop with long-term exposure to the chemical, so eliminating it from the home environment can provide a significant benefit to individuals.
Other systems use localized filters to eliminate health hazards that may exist despite EPA regulation. Water filtration systems add value to the home, especially for those who rely on a well. Filtered water tastes better and lacks plastic contamination that can occur with bottled water.
Removing minerals and heavy metals can also improve health issues such as dry skin and hair, and lessen concerns about the impact of long-term exposure to trace contaminants.
Although the initial cost of a home water filtration system can be expensive, it can be a worthwhile investment when amortized over time, including the cost of replacing appliances and the impact of water quality on health.
Signs Your Home’s Water May Need Filtration
Many homeowners are unsure whether they need a home water filtration system. If you notice any or all of the following, your home and family may benefit from a water filtration system.
- Bad taste in the water
- Cloudy or discolored water or sediment in your water
- Dry hair or skin after showering
- Strong chlorine smell in water
- Scaly, white buildup on fixtures
Benefits of Whole Home Water Filtration
One of the main benefits of a whole-home water filtration system is that the water tastes much better, so you’ll drink more of it. It also provides consistent water quality throughout the home, protects your plumbing, increases the lifespan of your appliances, and reduces or removes contaminants.
Whole-House Water Filtration vs Point-of-Use
A whole-home system is typically installed outside the home, in the garage, the basement, or another out-of-the-way but accessible location. It’s plumbed into the whole house so that every faucet has filtered water. A point-of-use filter is installed at an individual location, usually the kitchen. Many homeowners don’t install filtration systems in the bathroom or the laundry room, for example.
Cost is often the determining factor in selecting which type of water filtration system to install. However, the initial cost can be recouped through improved health and longer appliance lifespans, so whole-house systems are often the best overall choice.
FAQs About Clearwater Tap Water
Does Clearwater Tap Water Meet EPA Standards?
Yes, Clearwater’s tap water meets EPA standards as evidenced by this EWG report.
Why Does My Tap Water Smell Like Chlorine?
If your water suddenly has an acute chlorine smell, it can be due to several factors.
1. Stagnant water has a stronger chlorine smell, even if it was just in the pipes overnight.
2. Treatment plants often increase chlorine levels seasonally.
3. The treatment plant may have switched from chloramine to chlorine.
4. You may live near a treatment plant that has recently treated the water.
Can My Tap Water Become Unsafe Inside My Home?
Yes, even if your water is safe when it enters your home, it can become contaminated if you have older plumbing that contains lead, copper, or solder. Also, if water sits in the pipes, it can stagnate and become unsafe.
If your municipality has old infrastructure, flowing water can accumulate mineral particles, rust flakes, and sediment as it travels through the pipes.
Do I Need a Water Filter If the Water Is Safe?
Although you may not technically need a water filter, it’s a precautionary measure to ensure that your drinking and cooking water is healthy. Safe water isn’t always optimally healthy, but a water filter can improve it.
What Is the Best Way to Improve Tap Water Quality?
A whole-house water filtration system is the best way to ensure the water you consume is of the highest quality you can afford. Various quality levels are available, and technological improvements have helped make them more affordable.
Want Better Water?
If you live in Clearwater, FL, or the surrounding areas, and are interested in a whole home water filtration service, call your punctual plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to schedule a water quality evaluation. We’ll discuss all your filtration options and then provide a water quality solution that’s tailored to your needs.
Our punctual plumbers have been providing quality water service to the area for 20 years and have earned a reputation as some of the best in the area. Keep your family healthier with our whole home water filtration service. Contact us today!