Water Quality Issues in Safety Harbor, Florida: Potential Contaminants and Solutions
Introduction to Safety Harbor
Safety Harbor is a beautiful small city located in Pinellas County, Florida right along the shores of Tampa Bay. With a population of around 17,000 residents, Safety Harbor provides a quaint and charming atmosphere with historic downtown areas and scenic waterfront views.
The city gets its name from the legend that this area provided a safe harbor for ships during violent storms. Today, Safety Harbor provides a safe haven for residents and visitors looking to enjoy the amenities of a coastal Florida town. The city has highly-rated schools, parks and recreation facilities, and a vibrant arts and culture scene.
Potential Water Contaminants in Safety Harbor
While Safety Harbor has many advantages as a place to live, work and play, the city's water supply faces some potential quality issues that residents should be aware of. Some of the most common water contaminants that can impact homes in Safety Harbor include:
Hard Water and Limescale Buildup
The majority of homes in Safety Harbor rely on groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer as their water source. This water tends to be very hard, meaning it has high levels of calcium and magnesium minerals.
Hard water causes limescale buildup on plumbing fixtures and appliances, which can lead to decreased efficiency and higher energy bills. The hard minerals also make it difficult to get soap and detergents to lather properly.
Iron and Manganese
Iron and manganese are two metallic elements that can be found dissolved in Florida's groundwater. At high levels, these metals can cause staining of laundry and plumbing fixtures. Iron and manganese can also impact the taste and appearance of water.
Sulfur and Hydrogen Sulfide
Sulfur compounds like hydrogen sulfide can cause foul "rotten egg" odors in the water. These smelly contaminants not only create an unpleasant experience when using the water, but can also speed up corrosion in pipes.
Bacteria and Microorganisms
Well water and groundwater sources are susceptible to contamination by bacteria and other microbes from surface pollution, animal waste, or other organic materials. Coliform bacteria like E. coli as well as giardia and crypto parasites can potentially be present in untreated well water. These microorganisms pose health risks if consumed.
Chlorine Disinfection Byproducts
The city of Safety Harbor adds chlorine as a disinfectant to protect the public water system from microbes. However, chlorine can react with organic compounds to form potentially harmful disinfection byproducts like trihalomethanes (THMs).
Lead and Copper Corrosion
Lead and copper contaminants may leach into tap water from old corroded plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are at a higher risk of having lead service lines or lead-soldered pipes. Lead and copper exposure, especially in children, can cause health issues.
Pesticides, Herbicides, and VOCs
Runoff from lawns, farms, and other sources can introduce low levels of pesticides, herbicides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene into groundwater. These chemicals have been linked to certain cancers and other health risks.
Radon Gas
Being located in Florida, Safety Harbor tap water may contain dissolved radon gas. Radon is a radioactive element that can increase cancer risk when elevated levels are inhaled or ingested over long periods of time.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that include PFOA, PFOS and other compounds. These “forever chemicals” have been used in consumer products and firefighting foams. PFAS have been found in many water supplies and may cause health problems.
Water Treatment Solutions for Safety Harbor Homes
To address the potential contaminants listed above, Safety Harbor homeowners have several effective water treatment options available to them. The right solutions will depend on your home's unique water quality situation.
Here are some of the top-rated water treatment systems to consider for treating and improving the water in your Safety Harbor home:
AquaLux Water Softener A whole house water softener like the AquaLux removes the hard minerals calcium and magnesium to prevent limescale buildup and create softer feeling water for cleaning and washing. Water softeners utilize ion exchange technology to substitute sodium ions for the hardness minerals.
AquaCarbonGuard Catalytic Carbon FilterMulti-stage whole house water filters are designed to reduce sediment, chlorine, VOCs, heavy metals, and other common contaminants. These systems filter the water entering your home before it reaches your faucets and appliances. Whole house filters often combine activated carbon, KDF, and other media to remove impurities and improve taste and odor.
AquaGuard UV System UV water disinfection uses ultraviolet light to inactivate and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms without chemicals. Adding a UV system after your well or storage tank provides an effective barrier against potentially harmful pathogens like E. coli and crypto.
AquaCarbonGuard Catalytic Carbon FilterTo remove hydrogen sulfide odors, iron staining, and manganese, a catalytic carbon filtration system is recommended. The AquaCarbonGuard uses an oxidation media along with catalytic carbon to eliminate sulfur smells and metals for cleaner water.
HydroClear Ozone Generator An ozone injection system like the HydroClear can help destroy bacteria and break down organic compounds. Ozone is a powerful disinfectant and oxidizer. Adding ozone to your water can help control microorganisms and reduce disinfection byproducts.
Retention Tank + Chlorine Injection System Chlorine injection with a retention tank provides an effective and affordable way to disinfect well water against pathogens. Chlorine kills bacteria and viruses then a retention tank provides contact time for proper disinfection. This option combines chemical treatment with physical disinfection for small systems.
AquaRevive Reverse Osmosis System Reverse osmosis (RO) units produce bottled water quality drinking water by forcing water through a membrane filter to remove contaminants. RO effectively takes out lead, copper, arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, sodium, bacteria and more. AquaRevive systems provide premium purified water at the tap.
HydroTech Pro Commercial Water Treatment For commercial properties, restaurants, offices, schools, or large facilities, a custom HydroTech Pro system can be designed to handle your specific water treatment needs. Commercial water solutions disinfect and remove contaminants from high water use operations.
Well Water Treatment
Homes on well water will also need additional treatment like [iron filters](AquaCarbonGuard Catalytic Carbon Filter), [UV systems](AquaGuard UV System), [chlorine injection](Retention Tank + Chlorine Injection System), or [ozone generators](HydroClear Ozone Generator) to handle issues like bacteria, hydrogen sulfide, tannins, and turbidity in untreated well water. Manganese removal, sediment filtration, and scale prevention may also be necessary.
Point-of-Use Filtration
Finally, point-of-use water filters at taps and faucets provide an extra barrier to contaminants for drinking water and cooking. These filter out lead and other impurities that may still be present after the main water treatment system. We recommend installing [whole house + POU filtration](AquaBlue Whole House Filter) for maximum water quality protection.
Partnering with a Local Water Quality Expert
Dealing with water quality issues can quickly become overwhelming for homeowners. For professional guidance tailored to your specific water treatment needs, contact the experts at Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions in Tampa, FL.
With over 10 years of experience servicing homeowners in Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Clearwater, Tampa, and surrounding areas, Aqua-Wise has the knowledge and solutions to take care of your home's unique water problems.
Aqua-Wise provides:
A full range of water treatment options including water softeners, whole house filters, reverse osmosis, UV sterilizers, ozone, and chlorine injection systems.
Upfront pricing with full lifetime support
Comprehensive water testing to analyze all your home's water contaminants
Financing and promotion options to make water treatment affordable
Schedule Your FREE Water Test Today to get a detailed analysis of your Safety Harbor water and expert recommendations for the right solutions.
Aqua-Wise has been improving water in Tampa area homes since 2012. Contact us today to learn more about the contaminants affecting your home and the treatment options available to restore your water quality.
Sources
City of Safety Harbor Water Quality Report 2022
Florida Dept of Environmental Protection - Source Water Assessments
CDC - Private Well Testing and Contaminants
USGS - Radon in Florida Groundwater
EPA - Secondary Drinking Water Standards
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:
