Water Quality and Treatment Solutions in Wesley Chapel, Florida

Introduction to Wesley Chapel

Wesley Chapel is a quickly growing suburb located in Pasco County, Florida, United States. With a population of over 30,000 residents, Wesley Chapel has seen rapid development and population growth over the past two decades.

The area was named after a Methodist chapel that was located near the intersection of State Road 54 and State Road 56. Wesley Chapel is known for its master-planned communities, golf courses, shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods. Major communities in Wesley Chapel include Seven Oaks, Mirada, Tournament Players Club, and Wiregrass Ranch.

Wesley Chapel provides residents with a quiet suburban lifestyle while still being close to Tampa and the job centers of northern Hillsborough County. It is an attractive area for families and has highly-rated schools in the Pasco County School District.

Water Quality Concerns in Wesley Chapel

While Wesley Chapel offers an excellent quality of life and desirable amenities, there are some concerns regarding water quality in the area. Wesley Chapel primarily relies on groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer for its drinking water supply. The Floridan Aquifer is prone to contamination issues, especially in rapidly developing areas like Wesley Chapel.

Some potential contaminants that may be found in Wesley Chapel's water include:

Hardness

Hard water is one of the most common issues faced by homeowners in Wesley Chapel. The groundwater pulled from the Floridan Aquifer in this region contains high levels of naturally-occurring calcium and magnesium, which lead to hard water.

Hard water causes scale buildup, spotted dishes, dingy looking clothes and bathtubs, and difficulty getting soap and detergents to lather properly. The hard mineral deposits left behind by hard water can damage plumbing and appliances over time as well.

Iron

Iron is another contaminant commonly found in well water and groundwater supplies in Wesley Chapel. Iron shows up as red, brown, or yellow stains on fixtures, laundry, and plumbing systems. At higher levels, iron causes undesirable metallic tastes in water and discolored water. Too much iron in water is an aesthetic concern, but also poses plumbing and staining issues.

Sulfur and Hydrogen Sulfide

Sulfur is present in Wesley Chapel water due to the geology of the Floridan Aquifer system. Hydrogen sulfide gas is often produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria in the aquifer or plumbing systems. At high concentrations, sulfur causes a "rotten egg" odor and foul taste in the water. It can also contribute to corrosion of pipes, discoloration, and staining issues.

Bacteria

Bacterial contamination is a concern with groundwater supplies. Potential sources of bacteria include animal and human waste that infiltrates into the aquifer. Coliform bacteria and E. coli may be present in untreated well water. Bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness and pose greater risks for vulnerable populations if consumed.

Nitrates

Agricultural fertilizers, animal feedlots, faulty septic tanks, and wastewater contamination can cause nitrate pollution in groundwater. At elevated levels, nitrates may be linked with certain cancers and pose health risks for infants. This is a potential concern anywhere that fertilizers and domestic wastewater intersect with the water supply.

Arsenic

Arsenic is a heavy metal that naturally occurs in soil, rocks and sediments. Erosion and weathering causes arsenic to leach into groundwater. Long-term exposure to arsenic is linked with certain types of cancer. Wesley Chapel's groundwater sources may contain some levels of arsenic.

Lead

While not common in well water itself, lead contamination can occur from old lead pipes and plumbing fixtures in a home. Corrosive water causes lead to leach from these fixtures into tap water. Lead exposure can impair childhood development and cause other serious health effects.

Disinfection Byproducts

Chlorine and other disinfectants react with organic matter in water to form potentially harmful byproducts like trihalomethanes. These byproducts are carcinogenic at high levels over long periods of time. They may occur from chemical disinfection of bacteria-prone well water supplies.

Radionuclides

Radioactive contaminants like uranium, radium, and radon can be picked up from the subterrain geology as groundwater travels through aquifers like the Floridan. At high levels and over long periods, exposure to radionuclides increases cancer risk. Radon gas is a particular concern for indoor air quality and inhalation.

Saltwater Intrusion

Coastal aquifers like the Floridan are subject to saltwater intrusion, or salt water mixing into fresh groundwater supplies. As freshwater pumping increases, the saltwater/freshwater boundary can shift inland. Elevated sodium and chloride levels from saltwater intrusion make water unsuitable for drinking and irrigation uses. This is a potential long-term concern, especially during drought conditions.

Solutions for Wesley Chapel's Water Quality Problems

To address contamination issues and improve water quality, Wesley Chapel homeowners have several effective treatment solutions:

Point-of-Entry Systems

Whole home water treatment systems are installed at the point where water enters a home (usually near the wellhead or water meter). Point-of-entry systems treat all the water entering the home so every faucet and shower benefits from filtration and purification.

For Wesley Chapel homes, whole house systems like the AquaBlue Whole House Filter System and AquaGuard UV System can effectively reduce contaminants. Multi-stage carbon and sediment filtration removes chemicals, particulates and improves taste/odor. UV light disinfection inactivates harmful pathogens like bacteria and viruses. These systems provide comprehensive water treatment for the entire home.

Water Softeners

To treat hard water, a whole house water softener like the AquaLux system is recommended. Water softeners remove the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness using a process called ion exchange. They replace the hard minerals with softer sodium or potassium ions. Water softeners leave water feeling smooth for washing and prevent scale buildup on fixtures and pipes. This improves the lifespan of water heaters, appliances and plumbing too.

Iron & Sulfur Removal Systems

For iron and sulfur treatment, AquaCarbonGuard catalytic carbon filtration is a proven solution. The Catalytic Carbon filtration media chemically oxidizes iron, sulfur and manganese to form particles. These particles are then physically filtered out, removing them from the water. This process also eliminates rotten egg odors and discoloration caused by iron and sulfur. An iron remover like the AquaCarbonGuard keeps water clear while preventing staining issues.

UV Disinfection

Treating bacteria contamination requires a dedicated UV system like the AquaGuard. The AquaGuard uses powerful UV-C light to damage the DNA and cellular structures of bacteria, viruses, mold and other microorganisms. This renders them unable to reproduce and cause illness. UV disinfection provides safe, bacteria-free water for drinking and food prep. It's crucial for at-risk households like families with young children and immunocompromised individuals.

Chemical Injection

Chemical injection systems can be used alongside filtration to manage more stubborn contaminants like arsenic. Chemicals like chlorine, polyphosphates, or hydrogen peroxide are injected into the water flow to oxidize and bind with specific contaminants. This allows them to be removed by downstream filtration. For example, chlorine injection helps reduce heavy metals like arsenic. An injection system may be needed on some Wesley Chapel wells that exceed arsenic limits.

Reverse Osmosis Filtration

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems like AquaRevive offer the most thorough filtration for removing total dissolved solids like nitrates, sodium, and other chemicals. RO forces water through a semi-permeable membrane that traps contaminants but allows water molecules to pass through. RO reduces a broad range of contaminants for the cleanest, purest water. Point-of-use RO systems at the kitchen sink provide clean drinking and cooking water.

Ozone Treatment

An advanced solution for disinfection and stronger oxidation is HydroClear ozone injection. HydroClear dissolves ozone gas into the water flow where it actively oxidizes contaminants. Ozone destroys bacteria, viruses and stubborn compounds like iron, sulfur, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals. It provides thorough water purification without adding any chemicals. Ozone effectively manages the wide variety of contaminants that can be found in Wesley Chapel well water.

With the right water treatment system or combination of systems, Wesley Chapel homeowners can enjoy better quality water free of troublesome contaminants. Whole house systems reduce contaminants at the point of entry while supplementary under-sink systems like reverse osmosis provide targeted treatment for drinking and cooking uses.

Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions offers free water testing and consultations for Wesley Chapel-area homeowners seeking cleaner, safer water. Their water treatment experts will test your well water and evaluate the specific contaminants affecting your home. They can then design a custom water treatment solution to address your water quality issues.

Improve Your Home's Water Today

Don't tolerate contaminated well and groundwater quality issues. Protect yourself, your family, and your plumbing with professional water treatment from Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions.

For a risk-free water test and personalized treatment plan, schedule your free consultation today. You can also call 727-236-7161 to speak with a water treatment specialist.

Investing in clean water is one of the healthiest and most economical home improvements you can make. Contact Aqua-Wise Water Treatment today to start your journey to better water quality.

Sources:

• Wesley Chapel, Florida: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Chapel,_Florida

• Pasco County Water Atlas: https://pasco.wateratlas.usf.edu/

• USGS Water Quality in the Floridan Aquifer System: https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs126-98/fs126-98.pdf

• CDC Well Water and Health: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/index.html

• Florida Department of Health: https://floridahealth.gov/

• US EPA Groundwater and Drinking Water: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water