Water Quality Issues and Solutions in Sun City, Florida
Introduction to Sun City, Florida
Sun City is a census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida with a population of over 12,000 residents. Originally developed by Del Webb in the 1960s as a retirement community, Sun City has grown into a thriving area with residents of all ages.
The climate in Sun City is hot and humid, typical of central Florida. Summers are long and steamy while winters are short and mild. The average high temperature in July is around 92°F while the average low temperature in January is around 53°F. Sun City gets over 50 inches of rainfall per year on average.
Potential Drinking Water Contaminants in Sun City
The drinking water supply in Sun City comes from a combination of groundwater drawn from the Floridan Aquifer via private wells, as well as treated surface water provided by Tampa Bay Water. While this water is treated to meet federal and state safety standards, there are some potential contaminants that Sun City residents should be aware of:
Naturally Occurring Contaminants
Hardness Minerals: The groundwater in the Floridan Aquifer contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which contribute to water hardness. Hard water is not harmful to health but can cause scale buildup, detergent scum, and reduced cleaning efficacy.
Iron: Iron is commonly found in Florida groundwater and can cause reddish-brown staining of fixtures and laundry. At higher levels, iron impacts taste and clarity.
Hydrogen Sulfide: This gas dissolved in groundwater causes a "rotten egg" odor. While not directly hazardous up to certain levels, the odor is unpleasant.
Manganese: Another naturally occurring mineral that can discolor water black/brown. Manganese can impact taste and appearance.
Radon: This radioactive gas dissolved in well water increases cancer risk when inhaled from household use. Radon easily escapes from water into indoor air during showering.
Arsenic: A semi-metal found in deeper Floridan Aquifer water that is toxic to humans long-term. Chronic ingestion increases cancer risk.
Sodium: Water treated with sodium hypochlorite and softened water contains increased sodium levels of concern for those on low-sodium diets.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Dissolved salts and minerals including calcium, magnesium, sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates that impact taste, clarity, and lead leaching at higher levels.
Microbiological Contaminants
Bacteria: Groundwater and treated surface water can contain harmful bacteria like E. coli if aquifer source or distribution system becomes contaminated.
Viruses: Possible viral contaminants include rotavirus, norovirus, hepatitis A and E. Usually associated with surface water sources. Highly problematic if ingested.
Parasites: Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium are parasitic cysts that can cause gastrointestinal illness. Chlorine disinfection helps control risks.
Inorganic Chemical Contaminants
Nitrates: Runoff from fertilizer enters water supply. Infants are at risk of blue baby syndrome when nitrate levels exceed federal limit.
Lead: Corrosive water can leach lead from pipes, solder, or brass fixtures, increasing risk of lead exposure. Most critical for children.
Copper: Like lead, copper can leach from plumbing under corrosive conditions. Causes metallic taste and potential long-term toxicity.
Perchlorate: Found in groundwater and associated with rocket fuel, munitions, and fireworks. Impairs thyroid function at high doses.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Man-made chemicals like solvents, degreasers, and fuels that vaporize and can contaminate well water sources. Cause cancer risks.
Pesticides: Runoff containing herbicides, fungicides, insecticides. Linked to neurological, kidney, liver damage, and cancer depending on type.
MTBE: Gasoline additive banned in Florida but has persisted in groundwater. Causes unpleasant taste/smell. Health risks disputed but avoided as precaution.
Potential Contaminants in Sun City Well Water
In addition to the contaminants above that may be found in treated drinking water, Sun City residents relying on private wells fed by the Floridan Aquifer may face additional contaminant risks requiring treatment:
Hydrogen Sulfide: The "rotten egg" smell is more common and pronounced in untreated well water. Not healthy to inhale over time.
Iron & Manganese: Much higher levels found in well water since metals are naturally occurring in the aquifer geology. Causes staining and discoloration issues.
Hardness Minerals: Calcium and magnesium levels are typically very high in well water making it extremely hard. Causes scale buildup.
Sulfur Bacteria: Bacteria like Thiobacillus use sulfur in well water to thrive, producing smelly sulfur waste products like hydrogen sulfide gas.
Coliform Bacteria: Fecal bacteria like E. coli or Enterobacter indicate possible septic or surface contamination requiring disinfection.
Tannins: Organic matter like decayed vegetation leaches tannins into well water turning it yellow, tea-colored. Removes clarity.
Methane & Hydrogen Sulfide: Gases associated with the underlying limestone geology that cause offensive rotten egg odors. Not healthy.
Turbidity: Soil/sediment particles make well water appear cloudy when levels spike after heavy rains or aquifer disruption.
Recommended Water Treatment Solutions for Sun City
To address the potential contaminants listed above that may be present in Sun City's drinking water, either from the city water supply or private wells, there are several highly effective water treatment solutions available from Aqua-Wise Water Treatment:
Whole House Water Filtration
The AquaBlue Whole House Filter System provides multi-stage filtration using a sediment pre-filter, catalytic carbon, and scale inhibition media to reduce a wide range of contaminants for all water entering the home:
Reduces sediment, rust, silt down to 5 microns
Removes chlorine and residual disinfection byproducts
Filters out heavy metals including lead and copper
Eliminates most pesticides, herbicides, VOCs, and other organic chemicals
Neutralizes foul sulfur odors and hydrogen sulfide gas
Protects plumbing and appliances from scale buildup
This comprehensive whole house system effectively addresses nearly all of the inorganic, organic, and microbial contaminants listed above to provide cleaner, safer water.
Water Softening & Hardness Reduction
The AquaLux Water Softener uses a resin bead ion exchange process to remove hardness minerals from the water supply, offering these benefits:
Removes calcium and magnesium to eliminate hard mineral deposits
Significantly reduces scale buildup throughout plumbing and appliances
Allows soaps and detergents to lather properly for better cleaning
Protects skin and hair from mineral residue that dries and damages
Extends lifespan of water-using appliances by preventing scale damage
Improves taste, clarity, and cooking performance of softened water
By reducing total dissolved solids and water hardness, AquaLux softening also minimizes mineral leaching of lead and copper from pipes and fixtures to further improve water quality and safety.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration
Where the highest quality drinking and cooking water is desired, the AquaRevive Reverse Osmosis System provides advanced point-of-use filtration:
Removes up to 99% of total dissolved solids
Eliminates sodium, arsenic, nitrates, pesticides, VOCs, and other inorganic/organic chemicals
Filters out bacteria and parasitic cysts including E. coli, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium
Reduces lead, copper, cadmium, and other heavy metals
Neutralizes odors, chlorine, and improves overall taste
Allows adjustment of TDS for preferred mineralization
Reverse osmosis is the ideal solution where health conditions demand bottled water quality right from the tap. It effectively addresses all contaminants of concern in Sun City's water supply.
UV Disinfection
The AquaGuard UV System provides powerful ultraviolet water sterilization against harmful microorganisms:
Destroy 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, molds, fungi, and yeasts
Provide an effective barrier to contamination from Cryptosporidium and Giardia cysts
Provide residual-free disinfection without chemicals
Ideal for supplemental disinfection of high-risk well water
Reduce risk of bacterial growth in plumbing systems
Environmentally friendly, chemical-free solution
UV light disrupts the DNA of microbes to deactivate them. AquaGuard UV disinfection is a safe supplemental treatment to kill any pathogens in untreated well water or distribution systems.
Well Water Treatment
For Sun City homes relying on private well water, the WellFusion Well Water Treatment System provides complete treatment in a space-saving design:
Multi-stage filtration reduces sediment, chemicals, and metals
Oxidizes and filters out iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide
Water softening reduces hardness and total dissolved solids
Carbon filtration removes VOCs, chemicals, chlorine
UV sterilization kills bacteria and pathogens
All in one compact system for easy installation
WellFusion bundles all the treatment steps necessary to take untreated well water and turn it into clean, safe, aesthetic drinking water right at the point of entry from the well. It is the ideal solution for Sun City well owners.
Ensure Access to Clean, Contaminant-Free Water
The drinking water in Sun City can contain a range of potential contaminants from organic and inorganic chemicals to harmful microorganisms. To safeguard the health of your family, the Aqua-Wise water treatment systems described above can effectively eliminate risks from any questionable water quality.
We offer free on-site water testing and stand behind our treatment recommendations with a lifetime performance warranty. See for yourself how Aqua-Wise can improve the water in your Sun City home.
Schedule Your FREE Water Test Today or call (727) 236-7161 to talk with a water treatment professional. Investing in clean water is vital for your family's health and protection.
Sources
EPA - Drinking Water 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:
