Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in Tampa?
Yes, Tampa's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Tampa has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page, the city's water provider website, or Tampa's local Twitter account.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Tampa's water utility, City of Tampa Water Department, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the City of Tampa Water Department water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Water Quality Report for Tampa Tap Water
The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Tampa tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.
Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.
EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.
We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Tampa's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.
Tampa Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named City of Tampa Water Department for Tampa in Florida. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
Is there Lead in Tampa Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Tampa water system, City of Tampa Water Department, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0011 mg/L of lead in Tampa water. This is 7.3% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Tampa contained more lead.
While Tampa water testing may have found 0.0011 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Tampa Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - MacDill Air Force Base - near Tampa with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Tampa has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
| Status |
Current status of the violation.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
| Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
| Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Tampa Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Phone: | 813-274-8663 |
| By Mail: | 7125 N. 30TH STREET TAMPA, FL, 33610 |
Existing customers can login to their City of Tampa Water Department account to pay their Tampa water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your City of Tampa Water Department bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Tampa water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Tampa water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Tampa means you will often need to put the water in your name with City of Tampa Water Department. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Tampa means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with City of Tampa Water Department. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
The estimated price of bottled water
$2.17 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Tampa, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Contaminants
City of Tampa Water Department
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility details
- Serves: 603000
- Data available: 2012-2017
- Data Source: Surface water
- Total: 12
Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines
- Arsenic
- Chromium (hexavalent)
- Nitrate
- Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Other Detected Contaminants
- Barium
- Chromium (total)
- Fluoride
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
- Selenium
- Strontium
- Vanadium
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.
Sources and Resources
Sources Cited
Additional Resources
Tampa Tap Water
In this article, I will discuss the quality of Tampa’s tap water. My friend lives in the Tampa Bay area and has had to deal with contaminated tap water for years. He also happens to know many people that have given up drinking the contaminated water, but the majority live in good homes where the water is free from impurities. There are many contaminants in Tampa tap water, which can cause illness if consumed in large amounts. There are also some other dangerous chemicals in our environment, which can also cause health problems.
The best way to keep your family healthy and keep them from getting sick is to make sure you have a quality water filtration system installed in your home. This will remove any of the harmful elements in your tap water, such as lead and copper. Not only is it better for your family, but will save you hundreds in water bills every year.
My favorite water filtration system is the Under Sink System from Underfloor Filtration. It removes over 99% of contaminants from my water while leaving in the essential trace minerals your body needs to stay healthy. This system comes with an easy-to-follow water filtration guide that tells you exactly what to do. There is no reason for you and your family to have to put your health at risk by drinking contaminated tap water.
Tampa Water
There are many benefits to having your own Tampa water filtration system. It is essential to have a quality water filtration system in your home. The water that enters your home is most likely going to come from your city’s water treatment plant. A quality water filtration system will ensure that the water you are drinking is clean and safe for consumption. It is also necessary to have a water filter so you can be sure that the water that goes into your home is clean and free of the various contaminants that may have gotten into the water during its trip to your city’s treatment plant. Having your own Tampa water filtration system ensures you are getting cleaner water.
One of the best things about having your own Tampa water filtration system is that you can relax while you are filtering the water for your family. When you have your own system, you have more peace of mind than if you had to rely on someone else to do it. You can simply sit back in your chair and relax as you watch the filter system work to purify the water in your home. It really is that simple to use a water filter system to provide you and your family with the purest water possible. It is a good idea to get an expert opinion on the various systems that are available so you can choose the right one for your home.
Water filtration systems can cost anywhere from twenty dollars all the way up to several hundred dollars, depending on what type of system you get. There are portable systems that you can bring with you if you are ever in an emergency. These water filter systems are very lightweight and can easily be carried around so you can use them no matter where you go. If you want a high-quality system that you can count on to deliver clean and pure water each time, then look into some of the systems that are available. It is important to have a high-quality water filter system available so you don’t have to worry about what you are drinking and what it is doing to your body.
Tampa Drinking Water
As the population of Tampa continues to grow and urbanization occurs, concerns about drinking water quality in Florida have grown. Tampa was recently named one of the top ten places in the United States to live by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The growth of Tampa is attributed to the economic development that is occurring in the area and the increase in population. The community has invested heavily in its water supply, but residents are continually worried about the quality of the water they receive.
Tampa’s drinking water problem is unique because of the large number of industrial facilities in the area. Industrial facilities can release contaminated wastewater and other harmful chemicals into the Tampa Bay area’s rivers and streams. These chemicals can make their way downriver into Tampa Bay and cause an increase in bacteria in the Tampa Bay area. Tampa residents are concerned about the number of drugs and chemicals they have been exposed to through accidental ingestion or inhalation of these chemicals.
An average tap water filter can help to filter out these contaminants, but a complete treatment system will need to be installed by a licensed plumber. A plumber can help determine the best course of action for cleaning up Tampa’s contaminated drinking water supply. By educating himself about the contaminants and how they make their way into the Tampa Bay area’s rivers and streams, a plumber can help ensure the people of Tampa’s water supply continue to have access to clean, pure drinking water.
Tampa Water Department
The Tampa water department, which is serving the greater Tampa area, has long been known as one of the most efficient and customer-friendly departments in the state. They strive to provide environmentally safe water for all of their customers and have even created green versions of some of the traditional products that they offer for sale. Tampa residents are always amazed at the fine quality of water that they are provided with by their local public works department. In fact, many people say that it’s the quality of water that they’re most grateful for being supplied by the Tampa water department. Tampa residents are also extremely pleased with the low cost of the water they pay each month as well.
It doesn’t matter if you are a new Tampa resident or a lifelong resident, no matter what your reason for visiting the Tampa area, you will enjoy the quality of water that the Tampa water supply provides. Tampa is a great city to live in and a great place to visit because it offers so much to the visitor. The world-class shopping, dining, cultural events, and activities make Tampa one of the most exciting places to be each year. And of course, the great weather and lush greenery of this Southern Florida city are sure to continue to keep Tampa residents busy all year long.
When it comes to the Tampa water department, you are getting what you pay for. Tampa residents have come to appreciate the fact that they can count on great customer service from their local Tampa water department. If you are interested in learning more about the water that the Tampa water department provides, then you may want to check out their website. On the site, you can find out when the next water bill is coming, how much that bill will be, and you can also get information about all of the wonderful new things that the Tampa water department has planned to help you enjoy being a customer of the city of Tampa. Tampa residents aren’t the only ones who love living in this great southern Florida city. Many people from neighboring states come to visit the sunny beaches of Tampa and enjoy spending their vacations sunning themselves on the beaches, enjoying the sun, sand, and everything else that the city of Tampa has to offer.
Tampa Water Utility
The city of Tampa enjoys one of the most stable power distribution grids in Florida, so the relatively small electric company that provides the electric power to the city should be able to handle outages and interruptions fairly easily. Tampa Bay is served by several electric transmission companies and two of them – Citizens Energy and Interconnection – buy the electrical power from the transmission lines and sell it back to the public. These transmission lines were installed many years ago, but they are still not up to modern code so have a pretty serious electrical aging problem. That means when there is a break in the electric grid, the system may have trouble sending power to your home or business, and it can even take hours before the power is restored. If you live in or near Tampa and have been affected by this kind of problem, you are in luck because the city is now starting a program called “StarHub” to help with this issue by installing new solar-powered generation technology towers that will connect directly to the electrical grid.
These new power towers will provide a second line of power to the electric companies and should significantly reduce the number of outages your Tampa water utility might experience. Once the new towers are up and running, all you have to do is turn off your air conditioner and heater, and you’ll be powered up and back on again. This allows you to keep your water utility running while keeping your electricity company and your county’s power grid running in perfect order. If you live in Tampa and have experienced a large power outage in the past, you know how frustrating it can be not to have power for an extended period of time. Now you have some more options to help you get through those blackouts.
The biggest benefit of StarHub is the direct connection to the power grid. That means no one outside of the power company is going to be able to affect your electric bill, which means your water utility can stay efficient and save money while helping the environment. As Tampa residents know, our natural resources are precious and we need to take care of them. Taking care of our power grid is essential for both the environment and for our security, and by installing StarHub you are doing your part to help protect our planet.
Tampa Water Treatment
Tampa Bay is home to some of the most advanced water treatment technology in the country, and they happen to use a lot of that technology in making sure that Tampa residents are always able to have clean, drinkable water. Tampa Bay has been getting great reviews for its ability to treat large amounts of water and for the cleanliness of the treated water as well. That’s why it is a really smart idea for you to invest in a water purification system for your home if you live in or near Tampa Bay because you’ll never have to worry about not having access to safe, clean drinking water again.
Tampa Bay is surrounded by great natural water sources, such as the Tampa River and the Tampa Bay estuary. These bodies of water are naturally contaminated with all sorts of contaminants, so the water treatment plant there just needs to be able to filter out all those contaminants and leave behind the good stuff – and that’s what it does. It’s not uncommon for water treatment plants to use several different methods to filter out all of the contaminants in the water. The most popular way is through reverse osmosis, but that’s not enough when it comes to taking care of water from a contaminated source. Tampa Bay needs its own water treatment plant so that it can treat all of the water that ends up in its pipelines, and it does, with four different methods that range from ultraviolet light to carbon filtration to ion exchange.
That means that the water coming into your home is cleaner than water from any other source, and it will taste better, too. Tampa Bay water treatment plant uses all of those methods, and it also uses some high technology, such as its ion exchange process. That makes it possible for the water coming into your home to get rid of the heavy metals that had gotten into your water in the first place, and it makes it taste better. It sounds like something you’d want, especially if you’re trying to live healthily and keep your body healthy. You should really invest in a good water treatment system for your home if you live in or around Tampa Bay because it’ll be one of the best investments you could ever make.