Water Quality Issues in Apollo Beach, FL and Recommended Solutions
Apollo Beach is a census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida situated south of Tampa on the shores of Tampa Bay. With a population of over 15,000, this community attracts residents with its beautiful beaches, parks, and proximity to major attractions like Big Bend Fossil Chasm and Little Manatee River State Park.
First settled in the early 1920s, Apollo Beach has grown rapidly in recent decades as part of the broader Tampa metro area. While the white sand beaches and laidback lifestyle draw new residents, Apollo Beach does face some challenges when it comes to water quality like many Florida coastal communities.
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Potential Drinking Water Contaminants in Apollo Beach
The quality of drinking water in Apollo Beach is regulated and treated by Hillsborough County Public Utilities. The primary source for drinking water is the Tampa Bypass Canal, which connects the Hillsborough River to McKay Bay. This surface water source is treated at the David L Tippin Water Treatment Facility before distribution.
Even with advanced treatment processes, there are some contaminants that can make their way into tap water supplies in Apollo Beach:
Microorganisms
Bacteria - Fecal coliform bacteria from human and animal waste can enter source water through sewage overflows or runoff. Common bacterial contaminants include E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella.
Viruses - Enteric viruses like norovirus, hepatitis A, and rotavirus from sewage pollution can contaminate water supplies.
Protozoa - Parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia are resistant to chlorine disinfection and can lead to gastrointestinal illness outbreaks.
Inorganic Contaminants
Nitrates - Runoff from fertilizers can cause elevated nitrate levels, which can be dangerous for infants.
Lead - Corrosive water can cause lead to leach from pipes, solder, or brass fixtures in older infrastructure.
Arsenic - A naturally-occurring element that can dissolve from soil and bedrock.
Fluoride - High levels of fluoride beyond the optimal concentration for dental health can occur naturally.
Organic Contaminants
Disinfection byproducts - Chlorine used to disinfect drinking water can react with organic matter to form trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids.
Pesticides - Runoff from agriculture or residential use can introduce herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides.
VOCs - Volatile organic compounds like benzene, toluene, and MTBE from gasoline or industrial use can contaminate groundwater.
PFAS - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from firefighting foam, landfills, or factories making nonstick or waterproofing products.
Radiological Contaminants
Radon - A radioactive gas that can dissolve into groundwater supplies from surrounding soil and rock. Prolonged radon exposure causes lung cancer.
Uranium - A radioactive element that naturally occurs in rock, soil, and water. Can cause kidney toxicity with prolonged exposure.
Radium - A radioactive metal tied to certain locations with elevated natural background radiation. Linked to bone cancer risks.
Potential Well Water Contaminants in Apollo Beach
Residents in Apollo Beach who use private wells are responsible for monitoring and treating their own water supply. Compared to public water systems, private wells are more prone to contamination from shallow groundwater sources:
Microorganisms
Bacteria - Wells drawing from compromised aquifers can have issues with fecal bacteria. Septic tanks and runoff amplify risks.
Viruses - Shallow wells are vulnerable to contamination from septic tanks, leach fields, or animals waste containing pathogens like rotavirus, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus.
Parasites - Shallow wells in sandy soils are at risk of protozoan parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Both cause severe gastrointestinal illness.
Inorganic Contaminants
Nitrates - Septic systems, fertilizers, and animal manure can all contribute to nitrate pollution in groundwater.
Arsenic - Elevated arsenic is common in deeper rock wells across Florida. Long-term exposure is linked to skin, bladder, lung, and kidney cancers.
Sulfates - These can indicate pollution or saltwater intrusion into the aquifer. High levels make water taste unpleasant.
Sodium - Road salt, seawater intrusion, and natural mineral deposits can increase sodium. An issue for those on low-sodium diets.
Lead - Lead piping or components can contaminate well water, especially if the water is corrosive.
Organic Contaminants
Bacteria - Wells drawing from compromised aquifers can have issues with fecal bacteria. Septic tanks and runoff amplify risks.
Pesticides - Farming, golf courses, or residential application of herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides near a well can lead to contamination.
VOCs - Solvents, degreasers, gasoline, and other chemicals from leaking tanks or spills can penetrate into groundwater.
MTBE - This gasoline additive is a widespread groundwater contaminant due to leaking underground storage tanks.
Radiological Contaminants
Radon - This radioactive gas is found at elevated levels in well water across Florida, especially from drilled wells into bedrock. Long-term radon exposure causes lung cancer.
Uranium - Common in rock, soil, and water in Florida. Drinking water standard is 30 μg/L. Prolonged exposure can damage kidneys.
Radium - A radioactive element that dissolves from soil and bedrock into groundwater in certain regions of the state. Linked to bone cancer risks.
Recommended Water Treatment Solutions for Apollo Beach
To treat common water quality issues in public or private water supplies, Apollo Beach residents have several effective technology options:
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse osmosis (RO) uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove dissolved contaminants like arsenic, nitrates, sodium, and certain organic compounds. RO also effectively reduces total dissolved solids, hardness, and other ions from water by over 90%. A storage tank is needed for efficient water delivery.
RO is one of the best options for comprehensive treatment of private well water or point-of-use drinking water filtration. It's also commonly used in combination with UV for public water.
Activated Carbon Filtration
Activated carbon filters use absorption media made from coconut shells or coal to remove chemicals like VOCs, pesticides, chlorine, foul tastes, and odors from water.
They offer an affordable and low-maintenance option for general water filtration, especially for public water supplies. Activated carbon is not effective for dissolved inorganics or microorganisms.
Ion Exchange Water Softeners
Ion exchange softeners switch out hardwater mineral ions like calcium and magnesium for sodium ions. This reduces water hardness and related scale buildup issues.
While not technically a purification system, water softeners are useful pretreatment to reduce fouling and extend the lifespan of RO membranes and other water treatment equipment.
Ultraviolet Disinfection
UV units destroy 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa without chemicals using short-wavelength ultraviolet light.
UV disinfection paired with a filter is excellent for supplemental disinfection of bacteria and viruses in municipal water or private well applications. However, UV alone does not reduce dissolved chemicals.
Oxidizing Filters
Oxidizing filters infuse water with chlorine, chloramine, or ozone to kill pathogens similar to a municipal plant. They provide thorough disinfection of private well water.
However, oxidizing filters have limitations for chemical contaminants and can produce disinfection byproducts. They require careful monitoring and maintenance.
Distillers
Distillers work by boiling water and condensing the steam to purify water through evaporation. They can effectively remove heavy metals, salts, minerals, and microorganisms.
On the downside, distillers have slow production rates and high power consumption. The water also lacks beneficial minerals. They work best for point-of-use drinking or cooking water.
Conclusion
Like many places in Florida, Apollo Beach faces potential water quality issues from natural and man-made contaminants in municipal and well water sources. However, today's advanced water treatment technologies like reverse osmosis, activated carbon filtration, UV disinfection, and distillation provide options for cleaner, safer drinking water.
Residents concerned about their water quality can contact a local water treatment professional for testing and system recommendations tailored to their needs. There are affordable solutions available ranging from whole house systems to drinking water units to tackle specific contaminants detected in an area.
With the right water treatment, Apollo Beach residents can continue enjoying their beautiful coastal community without worrying about the quality of the water coming from their taps.
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