Water Quality and Treatment Solutions in Dover, Florida
Dover is a charming rural town located in Hillsborough County, Florida. With a population of around 3,500, Dover has maintained its small-town feel while still being close to Tampa and other larger cities. The town features beautiful oak trees, rolling green pastures, and an active historic downtown centered around the railroad tracks.
While Dover's location provides a quiet country lifestyle, it also presents some unique water quality challenges that residents must address. In this article, we'll explore the common water contaminants found in Dover, why they occur, and the best water treatment solutions for homes and businesses in the area.
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Overview of Dover's Water Sources
Most homes and businesses in Dover rely on private wells for their water supply. The groundwater comes from the Floridan aquifer, which underlies all of Florida. While this aquifer provides high-quality water, impurities can still enter groundwater supplies through natural processes and human activities.
Some areas of Dover do have access to municipal water from Tampa Bay Water. However, the majority of residents utilize private wells. In addition, agricultural operations, dairies, and ranches in the Dover area utilize wells for irrigation and livestock needs.
Understanding where your water comes from is the first step to identifying potential contaminants and choosing the right treatment. Now let's look at some of the most common water quality issues facing Dover well owners and municipal water users.
Potential Contaminants in Dover Well Water
Here are some of the most frequently occurring contaminants in Dover well water and the health and aesthetic issues they can pose:
Hardness Minerals
Hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium are very common in Dover well water. They enter groundwater supplies as water passes through limestone, dolomite, and other rock formations.
Hard water causes scale build-up in pipes and appliances. It also makes it difficult to get soap and detergents to lather properly. Hardness levels above 120 ppm are considered very hard.
Iron
Iron shows up frequently in well water in Dover, often at concentrations above the EPA's secondary standard of 0.3 ppm. At higher levels, iron causes orange/reddish stains on plumbing fixtures and laundry. It can also influence taste and appearance.
Hydrogen Sulfide
This chemical compound is responsible for the "rotten egg" odor associated with some well water. It occurs naturally in some groundwater but can be exacerbated by well construction issues and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Even at low concentrations, the smell is unpleasant. At higher levels, hydrogen sulfide is corrosive to plumbing and poses health risks if used untreated for drinking or cooking.
Manganese
Like iron, manganese is a common metallic element in groundwater. Concentrations above 0.05 ppm can lead to black staining and an unpleasant taste.
Tannins
Tannins are organic compounds released by decaying vegetation. They result in a yellow or brownish tint in well water and can also affect taste.
Bacteria
Coliform bacteria like E. coli as well as nuisance bacteria can be present in wells, especially those that haven't been properly constructed and maintained. Bacteria can cause health issues and plumbing/fixture damage.
Nitrates/Nitrites
These nitrogen compounds most often originate from fertilizers, animal waste, and septic systems. Levels above the EPA standard of 10 ppm for nitrates can be harmful, especially for infants and pregnant women.
Arsenic
A naturally occurring element, arsenic is found in some deep well supplies in concentrations exceeding 10 ppb. Long-term ingestion of arsenic over this level poses serious health risks.
Lead
Corrosive water can cause lead to leach from well components, pipes, and household plumbing. Lead is toxic, especially for children, and the EPA limit is 15 ppb.
Pesticides/VOCs
Runoff containing pesticides, herbicides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can infiltrate into groundwater supplies and create health hazards. VOCs include solvents, degreasers, and fuels.
Potential Contaminants in Dover Municipal Water
The primary source for Dover's municipal water supply is the Hillsborough River Reservoir maintained by Tampa Bay Water. Tampa Bay Water utilizes a variety of treatment processes to remove potential contaminants from this surface water source.
However, issues can still arise in the distribution system that delivers treated water to homes and businesses:
Disinfection Byproducts - Chemicals like trihalomethanes form when chlorine used for disinfection reacts with organic compounds. They can pose health risks at high levels.
Lead - Corrosive water can leach lead from distribution lines as well as household plumbing and fixtures, especially in older homes.
Coliform Bacteria - A sign of contamination if detected in the distribution system. Requires increased chlorine treatment.
Cloudiness - Particulate matter like silt, clay, and sediment can make water appear cloudy, affecting appearance.
Overall, Tampa Bay Water's treatment processes ensure high quality finished water. But issues like lead and bacteria should still be addressed through proper home treatment and maintenance.
Water Treatment Solutions for Dover, Florida
Now that we've reviewed Dover's most common water contaminants, let's discuss effective treatment solutions. The right system depends on your water source and the specific issues present.
Whole House Water Softening
For moderate to high hardness levels, a whole house water softener is the most convenient and cost-effective option. Water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove the hardness minerals and replace them with sodium ions. This eliminates scale build-up and allows soaps to foam properly.
The AQUALUX Water Softener from Aqua-Wise is an excellent choice for Dover residents struggling with hard well water. These systems are highly efficient and simple to maintain with an easy-to-use salt delivery design. Meter-based models provide optimal salt efficiency.
Iron & Hydrogen Sulfide Removal
For iron concentrations above 1-2 ppm or any presence of hydrogen sulfide, a filtration system specifically designed to treat these contaminants is required.
The AquaCarbonGuard catalytic carbon filter from Aqua-Wise combines air injection with a special iron-absorbing media to efficiently remove both iron and hydrogen sulfide. An ozone generator can also be added to oxidize contaminants.
Sediment Filtration
To address cloudiness and particles that cause muddy well water, multi-media sediment filters provide 5-micron filtration. They remove sand, silt, clay and other sediments for clear water.
Bacteria Treatment
For bacteria problems in wells or distribution systems, UV disinfection is the most effective solution. UV light destroys 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and protozoan cysts without chemicals. Adding a chlorine injection system provides residual disinfection.
Nitrate Removal
Reverse osmosis (RO) reliably reduces nitrate and nitrite levels by over 90%. An RO system like the AquaRevive also removes sediment, heavy metals like arsenic and lead, pesticides, VOCs and other contaminants. It can treat whole houses or be installed at a single tap.
Lead & Pesticide Removal
In addition to RO, activated carbon filtration is highly effective for absorbing lead, pesticides, herbicides, VOCs and other organic compounds. The AquaBlue whole house filter from Aqua-Wise utilizes catalytic carbon for maximum contaminant reduction.
Well Water Treatment Systems
For Dover well owners needing a complete water treatment solution, packaged well water systems like the WellFusion provide multiple treatment components in one simple, pre-engineered design. Based on your water test results, Aqua-Wise can customize the system to address hardness, iron, sulfur, sediments, bacteria, arsenic, nitrates, and other contaminants in your well water supply.
Commercial Water Treatment
For schools, businesses, restaurants, and light commercial applications in Dover, the HydroTech Pro Series offers versatile, high-capacity water treatment to resolve contamination issues with municipal or well water sources.
Reliable Water Quality Solutions for Dover, FL
In summary, Dover's location necessitates water treatment solutions capable of handling hardness, iron, sulfur, sediments, metals, bacteria, nitrates and other impurities common to groundwater sources. For municipal water, lead, bacteria, and distribution system contaminants should also be addressed.
Aqua-Wise offers the full range of water solutions needed in Dover, from whole house softeners and filters to reverse osmosis and UV systems. Their systems are designed and sized specifically for residential and commercial applications.
With over 25 years of experience, Aqua-Wise provides Dover, FL homeowners and businesses with expert water testing, treatment recommendations, products, and ongoing service.
For rural well owners and municipal water users alike in Dover, contact Aqua-Wise today to learn more and schedule your free water test. Their team will help you identify your water quality issues and select the right solutions. Clean, safe water is just a phone call away!
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:
