Water Quality Concerns in Dade City, FL and Recommended Solutions
Dade City is a charming town located in Pasco County, Florida. With a population of around 7,000 people, Dade City serves as the county seat and offers a glimpse into old Florida with its historic downtown, antique shops, and quaint neighborhoods.
First settled in the 1840s, Dade City was officially incorporated in 1885. It got its name from Major Francis L. Dade, who fought and died in the Second Seminole War in 1835. Today, Dade City's economy revolves around agriculture and phosphate mining. It provides easy access to outdoor recreation with its proximity to parks, trails, lakes and more.
Other locations:
Overview of Dade City's Water Sources and Quality Concerns
The primary source of Dade City's drinking water is groundwater drawn from the Floridan Aquifer. This expansive underground reservoir provides high-quality drinking water to much of Florida. However, as water travels through the ground, it can pick up impurities and contaminants that impact health and aesthetics.
Some of the key water quality concerns identified in Dade City's drinking water include:
Hard Water
Hard water is a common challenge in Dade City due to the naturally occurring calcium and magnesium found in the groundwater. The city's water hardness level ranges from 12 to 18 grains per gallon (gpg), indicating very hard water.
Hard water causes scaling on fixtures and appliances, decreases cleaning power, and leaves skin and hair feeling dry. The minerals in hard water also reduce the efficiency of water-using appliances.
Iron
Elevated levels of iron are present in Dade City's water supply, ranging from 0.1 to 1.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) based on testing. While iron is not hazardous to health, it causes reddish-brown staining of fixtures, laundry, and plumbing. Iron also impacts the taste, clarity, and odor of water.
Lead
Lead enters drinking water primarily through the corrosion of household plumbing materials containing lead. Homes built prior to 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures, and solder that can leach lead into tap water. Exposure to elevated levels of lead can cause serious health issues, especially for children and pregnant women.
Arsenic
Arsenic is a semi-metal element that can dissolve into groundwater through natural deposits or agricultural and industrial practices. While Dade City's source water meets the federal standards for arsenic, it is detected at levels near the maximum allowable limit. Long-term ingestion of arsenic increases the risk of skin damage, circulatory system issues, and certain cancers.
Radon
As a gas naturally present in the underlying geology, radon can enter indoor air and drinking water from the ground. According to the EPA, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon has been detected in some private wells in the Dade City area at levels above the proposed maximum contaminant level.
Coliform Bacteria
The presence of total coliform bacteria indicates that surface contamination is entering the drinking water system. While not necessarily harmful themselves, coliform bacteria signal that pathogens could be getting through as well. The city's annual consumer confidence report indicates occasional detections of coliform bacteria in the distribution system.
Chlorine Disinfection Byproducts
Chlorine is used as a disinfectant to treat pathogens, but it can react with organic matter to form potentially harmful byproducts like trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Dade City's levels of these chlorine byproducts stay within federal limits but are detected frequently.
Recommended Water Treatment Solutions for Dade City Households
To address Dade City's various water quality challenges, homeowners have several effective treatment solutions available from reputable companies like Aqua-Wise. The right water system depends on your home's specific needs and preferred benefits.
AquaLux Water Softener
A properly sized and maintained water softener removes the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hard water. Softened water prevents scale buildup, makes cleaning easier, and leaves skin and hair feeling healthier. Water softeners use salt to regenerate the resin beads that adsorb hardness minerals.
AquaCarbonGuard Catalytic Carbon Filter
This specialized carbon filter is highly effective at removing iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and other common well water contaminants. It filters down to ultra-fine particle sizes and has a long-lasting media bed. The AquaCarbonGuard restores clarity and taste while preventing staining issues.
AquaBlue Whole House Filter
For wide-ranging water quality improvement, a whole house water filter targets multiple contaminants in one system. Multi-media and carbon tank filters cover issues like chlorine, chloramines, particulates, lead, cysts, turbidity, and foul odor and taste. They help protect all water outlets and extend appliance life.
AquaGuard UV Disinfection
Ultraviolet water purifiers offer chemical-free disinfection against bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts like Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Installing a UV system after the filters provides an additional level of protection against pathogens. AquaGuard systems feature high intensity UV lamps in corrosion-resistant chambers.
Retention Tank + Chlorine Injection
For private well water, chlorine injection systems provide reliable disinfection against contamination from coliform bacteria and E. coli. The chlorine contact time provided by the retention tank allows thorough pathogen inactivation. Proper chlorine residuals will be maintained while keeping byproduct levels low.
HydroClear Ozone Generator
An ozone injection system oxidizes iron, sulfur, manganese, and other substances for whole home water treatment. HydroClear units destroy bacteria and viruses without chemicals while removing odors and improving taste. Ozone reverses the effects of iron bacteria and restores well capacity lost to biofouling.
AquaRevive Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System
Reverse osmosis is the most thorough filtration method available, removing over 99% of contaminants. It effectively addresses lead, arsenic, nitrates, sodium, total dissolved solids, chlorine, and other impurities. AquaRevive RO systems include premium membranes and smart digital monitors for optimized performance.
For municipal water users in homes with lead risks, certified point-of-use filters installed at key faucets provide lead removal. Aqua-Wise also offers specialized fluoride filtration options.
Protect Your Family with Clean Water in Dade City
Dade City residents can enjoy cleaner, healthier water by partnering with the water quality experts at Aqua-Wise. We carry industry-leading treatment systems to resolve any water problem. Our certified technicians will conduct a free water test and make data-driven recommendations for your home's needs. Reliable water treatment brings peace of mind.
Schedule your no-obligation consultation and quote today. We also offer flexible financing plans to make upgrades more affordable. Investing in water treatment for your Dade City home is well worth it for the benefits of soft, clean, contaminant-free water flowing freely from every faucet. Give your family the water they deserve.
Sources
City of Dade City Annual Water Quality Report 2020
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Source Water Assessment for Dade City
CDC Information on Lead in Drinking Water
USGS Information on Radon in Florida Groundwater
EPA Information on Drinking Water Standards and Contaminants
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:
