Water Quality Issues and Solutions in Durant, Florida
Overview of Durant, FL
Durant is an unincorporated area in eastern Hillsborough County, situated along Highway 92 between Plant City and Dover. The town was founded in the 1880s and was named after Confederate General Henry Durant.
Durant is located in a mainly agricultural area known for growing strawberries and other crops. The town itself contains homes, small businesses, churches and a public library. Residents enjoy Durant's small-town charm and rural setting, with easy access to Tampa just 20 miles to the west.
With no municipal water system, most homes and businesses in Durant rely on private well water. The local aquifer providing groundwater is vulnerable to contamination, requiring diligent testing and often advanced treatment to ensure safe, clean drinking water.
Other locations:
Potential Groundwater Contaminants in Durant
Because Durant relies solely on private wells drawing from the aquifer, there are various contaminants that can potentially impact local groundwater quality:
Microorganisms
Bacteria - Total coliform, E. coli
Viruses - Hepatitis A, norovirus
Parasites - Giardia, Cryptosporidium
Bacterial and viral pathogens can enter groundwater through animal/human waste, septic systems, or surface water infiltration. Improperly constructed/maintained wells are also vulnerable to contamination. Health issues include gastrointestinal illness.
Inorganic Contaminants
Arsenic
Lead
Copper
Chromium
Mercury
Cadmium
Selenium
Nitrate/Nitrite
Inorganic contaminants including heavy metals, radionuclides and nitrate/nitrite can leach into groundwater from natural deposits, fertilizers, industrial waste or landfills. High levels can cause health problems.
Organic Contaminants
Pesticides and herbicides
Industrial chemicals and solvents
Gasoline/diesel compounds
Disinfection byproducts
VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
Man-made organic chemicals can reach groundwater through agricultural/industrial activities, chemical spills, leaky storage tanks and more. Long-term exposure may cause cancer or other chronic conditions.
Other Potential Contaminants
Sodium
Chloride
Sulfate
Fluoride
Iron
Manganese
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Elevated levels of sodium, chloride, sulfate, and TDS indicate brackish water that can lead to taste, odor and scaling issues. Iron and manganese cause staining and discolored water. Fluoride at high levels can negatively impact health.
Treating Durant's Well Water Contaminants
To address the range of possible contaminants in Durant's local groundwater, several advanced water treatment solutions can be implemented for whole home or point-of-use applications:
Sediment Filter - A sediment filter using a multi-layer filtration media removes particulates such as dirt, silt, sand and rust particles from water. This addresses aesthetic issues like cloudiness and discoloration.
Activated Carbon Filter - Activated carbon adsorbs organic contaminants like pesticides, herbicides, VOCs and radon gas. It also removes chlorine taste/odor and improves water quality prior to reverse osmosis.
Water Softener - Water softeners use an ion exchange process to reduce hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium. This prevents scale buildup and also protects other treatment systems.
UV Disinfection - Ultraviolet light inactivates and kills bacteria, viruses, mold and other microorganisms without chemicals. It provides effective disinfection without affecting taste or chemistry.
Reverse Osmosis - Reverse osmosis (RO) removes up to 99% of total dissolved solids (TDS), inorganics, bacteria and other contaminants by pushing water through a semi-permeable membrane. It is one of the most thorough treatment options.
Oxidation Filter - Oxidizing filters employ media like manganese dioxide or potassium permanganate to oxidize and filter out iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, arsenic and other contaminants.
Phosphate Filter - A phosphate filter uses a specialized media to reduce phosphate levels. This prevents corrosion of plumbing and fixtures.
Chlorine Injection System - Chlorine injection systems dose chlorine into water for disinfection of bacteria. Chlorine levels are automatically monitored and adjusted.
Hydrogen Sulfide Filter - Hydrogen sulfide gas causes rotten egg odor. A sulfur filter oxidizes and precipitates sulfur out of the water to eliminate smell and taste issues.
Fluoride Filter - Reverse osmosis or activated alumina media reduce excess fluoride levels. This protects against dental/skeletal fluorosis.
pH Neutralizer - Acidic well water is neutralized by raising pH to optimal levels between 6.5 and 8. This protects plumbing and prevents corrosion.
Water Conditioner - Water conditioners use chelation, sequestration or scale inhibition to bind up hardness minerals and prevent limescale buildup on fixtures and equipment.
By analyzing Durant's local water quality issues and parameters, the right combination of treatment solutions can be implemented to remove specific contaminants of concern and deliver optimized water for home use.
Testing Durant's Well Water
Since groundwater conditions can vary over time, it is important for Durant homeowners to test their well water at least annually. Testing is the only way to identify if and at what levels various contaminants are present.
Basic water tests for private wells should include:
Total coliform and E. coli bacteria
Nitrate/nitrite
Lead
Arsenic
Iron
Manganese
Hardness
Total dissolved solids (TDS)
pH
Sulfate, chloride, sodium
For a comprehensive evaluation, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), pesticides, herbicides and other organic chemicals should also be tested for.
Be sure to use a certified drinking water testing lab that follows proper sampling methods and chain of custody procedures. Work with a water treatment professional to review results and determine appropriate solutions.
Schedule Your FREE Water Test Today: 727-236-7161
Recommended Water Treatment Solutions for Durant, FL
Based on typical groundwater contamination issues in Florida well water, the following whole house and point-of-use systems from Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions can effectively address Durant's water quality problems:
Whole House Systems
Point-of-Use Systems
Additional Solutions for Commercial Properties
Proper testing and analysis of your Durant well water will determine the specific treatment solutions needed to solve your water quality problems. Contact the water treatment professionals at Aqua-Wise today to learn more!
The Floridan Aquifer and Durant's Groundwater
The groundwater supplying private wells in Durant and surrounding communities comes from the Floridan Aquifer System - one of the most productive aquifers in the world. This vast, underground reservoir underlies all of Florida and parts of several other Southern states.
The porous limestone, dolomite and calcite rocks that make up the Floridan Aquifer readily allow water to percolate down from the surface and become stored. Wells drawing from the aquifer can provide ample fresh groundwater when the system is properly protected and managed.
However, the Floridan Aquifer is susceptible to contamination from above and below ground. Once pollutants enter the aquifer, they can spread for miles impacting many communities that depend on the system for drinking water. Industrial chemicals, fertilizers, animal waste, road salts and other contaminants have all affected sections of the aquifer.
Along with water testing and treatment, Floridan Aquifer communities like Durant should support public policies that prevent groundwater contamination and utilize the resource sustainably through conservation and other measures. Advanced treatment may also be needed to remove specific contaminants.
Sources and Additional Information
Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Floridan Aquifer System Facts
USGS - The Floridan Aquifer System
CDC - Private Water Wells
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:
