Water Quality and Treatment Solutions for Citrus Park, FL
Citrus Park is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, Florida located northwest of Tampa. With a population of over 24,000 residents, providing clean and safe drinking water is a top priority. Like many places in Florida, Citrus Park faces some unique water quality challenges that require specialized treatment solutions.
Other locations:
Overview of Citrus Park
Citrus Park is a fast-growing suburb of Tampa located about 19 miles northwest of downtown. It sits on the outskirts of the larger community of Keystone and near the Citrus Park Town Center mall.
The population of Citrus Park nearly doubled between 2000-2010 as new homes and businesses were constructed rapidly. Today it continues to expand with both residential and commercial development.
While not yet incorporated as an official town, Citrus Park does have a strong local identity and sense of community. It's known for its popular mall, proximity to recreation like golf courses and lakes, and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Understanding the most common water contaminants found in Citrus Park is key to choosing the right filtration and purification systems. Both municipal water sources and private wells present certain risks.
Potential Contaminants in Citrus Park Municipal Water
The municipal water supply for Citrus Park comes from Tampa Bay Water, the regional wholesale utility provider. Tampa Bay Water supplies treated drinking water to local governments like Hillsborough County Utilities who then distribute it to residents and businesses.
The main water treatment plant providing water to Citrus Park is the Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant. This facility takes saltwater from Tampa Bay and removes salt and other contaminants through a process called reverse osmosis.
While this advanced method produces high quality drinking water, potential contaminants can still be introduced during distribution or from source water taken near populated areas.
Some potential contaminants found in the municipal water supply for Citrus Park include:
Disinfection Byproducts - Chemicals like trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that form when chlorine interacts with organic matter. Long term exposure may increase cancer risk.
Lead - Corroded household plumbing and fixtures can leach lead into tap water, especially in older homes. Lead causes neurological problems.
Nitrates - Runoff from fertilizers and erosion can cause elevated nitrate levels. High exposure is a health risk for infants.
Industrial Chemicals - Leaks or emissions from factories and hazardous waste sites can contaminate source water. Volatile organic compounds are a concern.
Chlorine - Added as a disinfectant, chlorine can react with organics to form chlorination byproducts. Some find it causes unpleasant odors or taste.
Hardness Minerals - Abundant calcium and magnesium makes Tampa water very "hard". This causes scale buildup and reduces soap efficiency.
Microorganisms - Bacteria, viruses, parasites like cryptosporidium may enter water from animal or human sources. They can cause severe diarrhea-like illness.
Iron & Manganese - Natural deposits in Florida geology frequently dissolve into groundwater. These metals cause staining and fouling.
Proper treatment is required to remove these contaminants and make municipal water from Citrus Park safe, clean, and pleasant tasting.
Potential Well Water Contaminants in Citrus Park
Residents and businesses relying on private wells for their water supply face additional risks of contamination. Without centralized treatment, the responsibility falls on the well owner to ensure water is purified.
Common well water contaminants found in the Citrus Park area include:
Sulfate - Formed from sulfur compounds in sediments, sulfate causes scale buildup and a "rotten egg" odor. Levels in Florida often exceed the EPA secondary standard.
Nitrates - Septic systems, overlying agriculture, and fertilized lawns send nitrates into the local aquifer. Again a health risk for infants and pregnant women if elevated.
Sodium - Saltwater intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico has raised sodium levels in many coastal wells. People on low-sodium diets should be aware.
Radium - Radioactive elements like radium and uranium naturally occur in Florida's phosphate deposits and limestone aquifers. May increase cancer risk.
Arsenic - Arsenic contamination is unfortunately common in parts of central Florida. Long term ingestion causes serious health effects.
Hydrogen Sulfide - The "rotten egg smell" comes from hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in well water. It corrodes plumbing and is difficult to remove.
pH - Some wells have low pH, making water quite acidic and corrosive. Others have high pH causing scale deposits.
Iron & Manganese - Again, naturally occurring metals like iron and manganese often exceed the secondary standards. Treatment removes staining and fouling.
Cloudiness - Clay sediments, sand, or silica materials make some well water appear cloudy and unappealing. Sediment filters can remove them.
Hardness - With abundant limestone, well water hardness typically ranges from moderately hard to very hard. Water softeners help reduce the negative effects.
Well owners in Citrus Park need to test annually and install the appropriate purification systems based on detected contaminants. Otherwise health and plumbing problems may result.
Recommended Water Treatment Solutions for Citrus Park
To address the potential contaminants found in both municipal and well water supplies in the Citrus Park area, the following water treatment solutions are recommended:
Whole House Water Filtration System
A whole house water filtration system is installed on the main incoming water line to treat all the water entering the home. It removes a wide range of contaminants through a combination of filters, media, and other technologies.
For Citrus Park homes on municipal water, a whole house system effectively reduces lead, chlorine byproducts, industrial chemicals, hardness minerals, and microorganisms. They also stabilize pH and filter out sediment.
Well owners also benefit from whole house filters by treating hardness, hydrogen sulfide, metals, acidity/alkalinity, cloudiness and particulates. Systems with multiple filtration stages offer the broadest contaminant reduction.
The AquaBlue Whole House Filter System by Aqua-Wise is an excellent choice for Citrus Park homes. Custom-designed systems feature sediment filtration, activated carbon, pH neutralization, and more.
Reverse Osmosis Filter
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a membrane technology that removes dissolved contaminants like arsenic, nitrates, sodium, sulfate, and total dissolved solids (TDS). For this reason, RO systems are recommended for Citrus Park residents on private well water.
RO works by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure. Contaminants are filtered out while pure water passes through. Some systems include additional filtration before and after the membrane for better performance.
Aqua-Wise offers premium AquaRevive Reverse Osmosis Systems that combine sediment and carbon pre-filters with high-rejection thin film composite membranes. These systems produce bottled water quality right from the tap.
Ozone Generator
Ozone injection is an advanced oxidation process used to treat iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, microorganisms, and other contaminants. Ozone generators actively produce ozone which destroys pollutants through chemical oxidation.
For Citrus Park well owners dealing with high levels of iron, rotten egg odors, or bacterial growth, ozone is the preferred solution. It eliminates unpleasant taste, staining, and fouling problems.
The HydroClear Ozone Generator by Aqua-Wise uses corona discharge technology to produce high concentrations of dissolved ozone. It achieves superior iron and sulfur treatment compared to other methods.
Water Softener
Given the very hard water in the Citrus Park area, a water softener is almost a necessity. Water softeners use an ion exchange process to reduce calcium, magnesium, and certain heavy metals.
Soft water prevents limescale buildup in pipes and appliances. It also allows soap to lather properly. For municipal water users, softeners help combat hard water issues and reduce lead absorption.
The AQUALUX Water Softener provides whole home water softening for Citrus Park homes. These systems efficiently remove hardness and prevent scale formation through a chloride-based ion exchange process. Custom programming ensures optimal soft water 24/7.
UV Disinfection System
A UV system provides an effective barrier against bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms without using chemicals like chlorine. Water simply passes through a chamber where UV light destroys pathogens' DNA to render them harmless.
For Citrus Park well owners vulnerable to bacteria in untreated groundwater, UV disinfection gives peace of mind. It also removes chlorine-resistant parasites like cryptosporidium. Municipal water users benefit from an extra safeguard against bacteria that may enter distribution lines.
The AquaGuard UV Disinfection System by Aqua-Wise utilizes high-intensity UV-C germicidal light to inactivate microbes with a 99.99% kill rate. Installation is quick and maintenance just involves annual lamp replacements.
Reliable Water Treatment in Citrus Park, FL
With the right water filtration and purification systems in place, Citrus Park residents can enjoy cleaner, safer water free of troublesome contaminants. Aqua-Wise offers customized solutions to match your water quality issues whether on city or well water.
Contact us today to schedule a free water test and consultation. Our water treatment experts will inspect your water, identify your specific treatment needs, and recommend the ideal solutions.
Investing in reliable water treatment ensures your home and family have access to pure, healthy water for years to come. We provide high-quality systems, professional installation, and ongoing service. Learn more about Aqua-Wise water treatment in Citrus Park!
Filtrated Soft Water Solves Many Problems
Hard water can cause a wide range of problems that affect various aspects of daily life and household functions. Here is a comprehensive list of the issues that hard water can cause:
