Water Quality Issues in Brandon, FL and Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions
Brandon is a suburb of Tampa located in Hillsborough County, Florida. With a population of over 103,000, it is one of the largest suburbs in the Tampa Bay metro area. Like many cities in Florida, Brandon faces some challenges when it comes to water quality and meeting the demand for clean, safe drinking water. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the common water contaminants found in Brandon, potential health risks, and the best water treatment solutions available through Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions. Other locations:
Overview of Brandon, FL
Brandon was founded in the mid-1800s but saw most of its growth in the late 20th century as Tampa expanded. It features a historic downtown centered around Center Street as well as plenty of shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities. The city also has a campus of Hillsborough Community College.
Some key facts about Brandon:
Population: 103,483 (2010 census)
Median Household Income: $71,128
Located 10 miles east of downtown Tampa
Part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area
Features 28 parks and 4 golf courses
Brandon gets its drinking water from Tampa's municipal water system, which draws from the Hillsborough River Reservoir, the Hillsborough River, and wellfields tapping the Floridan Aquifer. The Hillsborough River watershed covers over 600 square miles and includes urban, suburban, rural, and wetland areas.
Like many surface water sources in Florida, the Hillsborough River contains a number of contaminants that must be treated before delivery to homes and businesses. The Floridan Aquifer also faces contamination risks in some areas.
Potential Drinking Water Contaminants in Brandon, FL
According to annual consumer confidence reports released by Tampa's public utilities department, Brandon's tap water contains traces of the following contaminants:
Microorganisms
Cryptosporidium - A parasitic protozoan that causes gastrointestinal illness. Often found in surface waters contaminated with sewage or animal waste.
Giardia lamblia - Another parasitic protozoan that causes diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Enters waterways via animal and human waste.
Inorganic Contaminants
Lead - Toxic even at low levels. Enters drinking water from corrosion of plumbing systems.
Nitrate - Runoff from fertilizer use. Can be harmful to infants and pregnant women.
Sodium - Water softeners, natural mineral deposits. May impact those on low-sodium diets.
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) - Formed when chlorine used for disinfection reacts with organic matter in water. Linked to cancer and reproductive issues.
Haloacetic acids (HAA) - Another class of disinfection byproducts tied to negative health effects.
Chlorine - Used to kill pathogens. Too much can cause unpleasant taste and odor.
Chlorite and chlorate - Can form when chlorine dioxide is used for disinfection. May impact thyroid function.
Radiological Contaminants
Radium 226/228 - Radioactive elements that can cause cancer with long-term exposure. Leaches into groundwater supplies from natural deposits.
Alpha emitters - Radioactive particles that come from natural deposits as well as some types of industrial waste. Heighten cancer risk.
Pesticides and Herbicides
Atrazine - Agrichemical found in many surface waters. Linked to hormone disruption and birth defects.
Simazine - Herbicide used to control weeds. Possible carcinogen and hormone disruptor.
In addition to the contaminants found in Tampa's treated water, homeowners and businesses relying on private wells in the Brandon area may face issues with:
Coliform bacteria and E. coli from septic systems or animal waste
Iron and manganese leading to staining and metallic taste
Sulfur causing rotten egg odor and taste
Tannins and organic matter resulting in color and cloudiness
Hardness minerals causing scale buildup and reducing soap efficiency
Many of these contaminants can pose health risks with long-term consumption. Others make water unpleasant to use for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing.
Health Effects of Water Contaminants
Some of the most concerning potential health effects of water contaminants found in Brandon's public water supply and private wells include:
Gastrointestinal illness from pathogens like cryptosporidium and E. coli
Developmental delays, birth defects, and cancer from atrazine and disinfection byproducts
Increased cancer risk from radium and alpha emitters
Hypertension and cardiovascular disease from excessive sodium
Methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants from high nitrate levels
Inadequately treated hard water can also lead to scale buildup in plumbing, appliances, and on skin and hair. Many contaminants can cause unpleasant odors, tastes, and appearance as well.
While Tampa's water treatment plants filter and disinfect the public water supply before delivery, some contaminants may still get through in small amounts. And those on private wells must treat their own water to remove contaminants.
Sensitive populations like children, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems face the biggest risk from water contaminants. But long-term exposure to even low levels of some contaminants may impact the general public's health over many years.
Recommended Water Treatment Solutions from Aqua-Wise
To address the most common water quality issues faced in the Brandon area, the water treatment professionals at Aqua-Wise recommend:
Whole House Water Filtration
Whole house water filters using high-performance media remove a wide range of contaminants for just pennies per gallon. They can filter sediment, chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, byproducts like TTHMs and HAAs, and more. Whole house units protect all water using fixtures and appliances.
Aqua-Wise recommends the AquaBlue Whole House Filter System featuring catalytic carbon filtration. This system removes up to 99% of common chemicals, metals, minerals, sediments, foul odors and tastes. It can help reduce lead and disinfection byproducts for better water safety. The media within the tank has a very high dirt holding capacity and low pressure drop.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration
Reverse osmosis (RO) uses a multi-stage process with semipermeable membranes to remove contaminants like lead, arsenic, nitrate/nitrite, sodium, TDS, and more. It removes up to 99% of total dissolved solids.
Aqua-Wise recommends the AquaRevive Reverse Osmosis System for whole house or under counter installation. This system provides safer, cleaner, healthier water for drinking and cooking by reducing heavy metals, salts, microorganisms, and other contaminants. It can treat both well water and municipal water.
UV Disinfection
Ultraviolet systems inactivate pathogens like bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and cysts without using chemicals. Aqua-Wise recommends pairing UV with pre-filtration to target both pathogens and other contaminants.
The experts recommend the AquaGuard UV Disinfection System: Targeting cryptosporidium and E. coli, this chemical-free system enhances water safety with powerful UV-C light destroying 99.99% of pathogens. It offers complete disinfection without byproducts or health risks.
Water Softening
To reduce hardness and remove scale-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium, Aqua-Wise offers the AQUALUX water softener: This system transforms hard water into soft, great tasting water for all household uses. It protects plumbing and appliances while leaving skin and hair feeling soft, smooth, and clean after bathing. The AQUALUX softener is highly efficient and reduces soap usage and detergent costs.
Well Water Treatment
For homeowners on private wells, the WellFusion line from Aqua-Wise offers all-in-one treatment combing several processes into one simple system. It can address issues like:
Hardness
Iron & manganese
Hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg odor)
Tannins and organic matter
Bacteria and pathogens
Turbidity and particulates
The WellFusion systems blend oxidation/filtration with UV disinfection, water softening, and acid neutralization as needed. This provides comprehensive treatment in a single integrated package.
Reliable Water Treatment from Tampa's Top Provider
For over 10 years, Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions has provided Tampa area homeowners and businesses with cutting-edge water filtration and conditioning equipment along with expert service. Their water pros have experience addressing the most common water quality issues faced in Florida.
The state-certified technicians at Aqua-Wise offer:
Water testing and analysis
Recommendations for the optimal treatment solutions
Professional installation
Ongoing service, repairs, and maintenance
Systems for both residential and commercial sites
As leaders in eco-friendly water treatment, the team at Aqua-Wise understands the latest technologies that can remove contaminants without using harsh chemicals or creating waste water. Their systems provide clean, clear water while conserving water resources and energy.
Contact Aqua-Wise for a Free Custom Quote
To learn more about water treatment options for your home or business in the Brandon area, contact Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions today to schedule a free water test and consultation. Their water pros will inspect your site, evaluate your water quality, and recommend the perfect solutions to meet your needs.
You can schedule your free water test online
Or give them a call at (727) 236-7161 to discuss your concerns with one of their water treatment experts. Protect the health of your family and the plumbing in your home with proven water filtration and conditioning systems from Aqua-Wise. Invest in peace of mind today.
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