WATER DIVISION
Staff Hours:
M-F, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location:
325 E. Pine St.
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Telephone:
(727)937-2557
For after hour emergencies, please contact the Emergency Answering
Service at (727) 234-4944
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Helpful Links:
Pinellas County Utilities
Tampa
Bay Water
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ABOUT OUR DIVISION
The City of Tarpon Springs Water Division consists of the following functional groups:
1. WATER SUPPLY/WATER WELLS
common questions
2. METER REPAIR/BACKFLOW PREVENTION
3. STORM WATER MAINTENANCE/NPDES PERMIT DATA DIVISION
One of the primary functions of the Water Division is
to maintain compliance with the various regulatory agencies. These
regulatory agencies include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Department of
Health (DOH) and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).
Data is collected and assimilated into reports on a monthly, quarterly,
semi-annual and annual basis. These reports include the
Consumer Confidence Report, which is
published annually every July (starting 1999) and sent to all consumers
and the corresponding regulatory agency.
Other reporting includes: annual lead and copper/corrosion, quarterly
total trihalomethanes, annual National Pollution Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES), and monthly bacteriological. The number of reports
required by, and submitted to the various regulatory agencies in a year
averages 140. These reports are used to insure that the City is provides
a safe drinking water to the consumers, tracks ground water movement,
protects surface water surrounding the City, and monitors hydrological
conditions and water loss/water consumption.
The Water Supply/Water Wells Division is responsible
for the production of water and the water quality throughout the City,
and within the City’s service area. Water quality is monitored on a
daily basis through the City’s 150+ miles of water distribution system.
These daily water quality checks are designed to insure that the water
you drink is safe, and meets all federally mandated guidelines. In
addition to these daily water quality checks the Water Supply/Water
Wells Division performs weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual sampling
and testing for over 170 different water quality parameters. This
information is sent to the Department of Environmental Regulation and as
of October 1999, all public water supply systems where required to
publish this information in a Consumer Confidence
Report (CCR), which is available on this web site. Hard copies of
this report are available at City Hall, located at 324 E. Pine Street,
within the Human Resources Department, Utilities Customer Service and
Public Services Department. Other locations include, the City Library
located on Lemon Street, and the Chamber of Commerce.
The City utilizes its own supply wells, augmented by supply from
Pinellas County to provide water to its customers. All water produced
and purchased meets or exceeds stringent Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) guidelines. The average daily water usage within the City’s water
service area is 3.5 million gallons per day. It is estimated that almost
half of the water that is consumed by the customer is used for
irrigation.
DISINFECTANT CHANGE
In May 2002, the City of Tarpon Springs, in association with Pinellas
County and Tampa Bay Water changed the primary disinfectant from
Chlorine to Chloramines. This change was a direct result of the new
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for disinfectant byproducts rule.
WHAT ARE CHLORAMINES?
Chloramines are the combining of Chlorine with Ammonia, through this
combining the ammonia attaches itself to the chlorine creating the
disinfectant known as Chloramines.
HOW MUCH AMMONIA IS ADDED TO PRODUCE CHLORAMINES?
The actual amount of ammonia added is extremely small. The ratio of
chlorine to ammonia is between 4:1 and 5:1 and the final concentrations
are in terms of parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L).
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH CHLORAMINES?
YES, people on dialysis should make sure that the dialysis machine is
outfitted with proper filters to remove ALL disinfectants.
Aquariums, fish ponds and other such aquatic life is vulnerable to
chloramines, proper removal of chloramines should be performed prior to
adding water to these environments. This can be accomplished by the
purchase of special chemicals available at your local pet store.
WHAT IS THE CALCIUM HARDNESS OF THE WATER?
Because the water within the Floridan aquifer passes through layers of
lime rock, the water is classified as hard. The Calcium hardness of the
water within the tri-county area, including Tarpon Springs, averages
between 175 mg/L (milligrams per liter) and 225 mg/L. or 12 to 15
grains.
DOES THE WATER HAVE FLUORIDE IN IT?
Pinellas County Utilities is the primary supplier
of drinking water for the City of Tarpon Springs. The Pinellas
County Board of County Commissioners approved the addition of fluoride
to the water system on November 29, 2012, with implementation on March
1, 2013. More information can be found on the
Pinellas County website.
WHY DOES MY HOT WATER SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS?
Because the Floridan water is rich in calcium and magnesium, these
elements when thermally heated precipitate out of solution. Because the
temperature within the water heater is normally set at 110 to 120
degrees, this promotes potential growth of sulfide generating bacteria.
It is this sulfide generating bacteria that create the rotten egg odor
within your water heater. One way of removing this bacteria is every
so often turn all the hot water taps on within the home, this should
create a demand on the system churning up the sedimentation which should
remove it from your hot water tank. If this does not work, you may have
to drain the water heater and flush it.
METER REPAIR/BACK FLOW PREVENTION
The meter repair/back flow prevention technicians are
responsible for the annual testing repairs and maintenance of backflow
prevention devices within the City. These backflow devices are from 3/4" up to
8” in size and are vital in the protection of the City’s potable water
supply. The backflows are installed at the customer's
meter, and prevents the back-siphoning/backflow of any possible
contaminants that may be present on the consumer’s side. This program is
known as the cross connection program, which was implemented in 1987 as
part of the Clean Water Act. Backflow prevention devices under the Clean
Water Act/EPA/DEP/DOH and City Ordinance, Chapter 20, Article V, are
required to be installed at residential and commercial businesses on the
potable water meter connection, where it is deemed to impose a threat on
the potable drinking water system. Some of these include: power plants,
high rise complexes, food preparation, hospitals, gas stations, beauty
salons, doctors offices, chemical plants, potable water irrigation
systems, reclaimed/reuse water irrigation system and private well
irrigation systems. You can obtain a complete list requiring backflow
prevention devises from the City of Tarpon Springs Clerks Office under
City Ordinance, Chapter 20, Article V.
If you have a backflow prevention device, please be advised that because
the backflow device does not allow for water to flow backward through
thermal heating of water, thermal expansion can occur within your
system. This thermal expansion may affect your water heater causing
the thermal expansion/pressure relief valve located at the top to
periodically open (sputter or spurt). If this is occurring, DO NOT
REMOVE THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE ON YOUR WATER HEATER AND PLUG IT OFF.
Without this relief valve, extreme pressure can develop within the water
heater causing it to erupt violently and may cause serious injury to
people and damage to property.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION
THERMAL EXPANSION CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS
The City has been and is continuing to install backflow prevention
devices throughout the service area. These devices, often referred to as
backflow assemblies, are installed on properties throughout the City’s
service area, and all locations where reclaimed water is readily
available for use as required by Federal, State and Local code. These
devices protect the public drinking water system from contamination,
thus providing an added level of protection. The installation of the
backflow assembly prevents the movement of fluids back into the public
drinking water systems. This creates what is most commonly called a
“closed water system.”
In the past, before the installation of these devices, the public water
main has provided a “cushion” that absorbed potential pressure build-up
in the private plumbing system by allowing water to flow from the
private water system back into the public water system. By Federal and
State definitions; movement of water from an unmonitored source, or
private plumbing system into a public water system is strictly
prohibited. The most common condition that can cause the movement of
water from the private plumbing side to the public drinking water system
is called “thermal expansion”. This phenomenon can occur four to six
times daily depending upon conditions.
The water in your home or business water heater goes through a heating
process called the “recovery cycle”. This cycle occurs four to six times
a day to maintain your hot water supply. The water in your water
heater experiences thermal expansion each time the unit cycles. Since
water cannot be compressed, what happens to the thermal expanded water
in your plumbing system? The expanding water creates a rapid and
dangerous pressure increase in the water heater and system piping much
like the reaction of a hydraulic jack. Internal pressures repeatedly
occurring during water heater recovery cycles have the potential to
create pressure on the plumbing system as well as impacting the
integrity of the water heater itself. Conditions that may be
experienced as a result of this phenomenon could be; intermittent
dripping faucets or shower heads, discharge from the temperature and
pressure (T&P) valve on the water heater, etc.
Experience demonstrates that thermal expansion may occur as a result of
any number of reasons that may exist on the property; faulty pressure
reducing exist, inadvertent long term closing of private valves,
installation of booster pumps, etc. Should such a condition exist or
become apparent on your property, you are cautioned to follow the
manufactures recommended testing and maintenance procedure for your hot
water heater.
SOLUTION TO THERMAL EXPANSION
There are a number of products available in today’s market to address
the thermal expansion issue, however, currently there are
only two (2) that will provide long term service. A properly sized
thermal expansion tank or a ball cock and relief valve assembly.
This properly sized device is the most accepted method of controlling
thermal expansion, and is recognized by the water heater industry in
their literature and warranties.
The triple purpose toilet tank ball cock valve is designed to provide
protection from thermal expansion as well. The device is designed to be
installed in the place of your present ball cock assembly in your toilet
tank. The assembly will govern and limit the domestic water system
static pressure by discharging to the tank as required by plumbing
codes.
Either solution requires periodic maintenance to ensure that the device
is in good continuous working order. For more information regarding
these assemblies you should contact your local plumbing supplier.
METER REPAIR
In addition to the backflow installation, repair, maintenance and
certification program, the Meter Repair/Backflow Technicians, test and
repair meters. Meters 2” and above are tested on an annual basis to
insure proper calibration and consumption is accurate. Meters in general
will record an average of 98% of all water that passes through them. To
insure that consumers are being charged properly for the amount of water
that is consumed, this annual meter testing is important.
The meter repair Division receives several calls each year from
consumers that believe their meter is recording more water than they
have consumed. However, because these devices are mechanical, as they
get older, the moving parts inside wear and the meter slows down. The
majority of these calls are the result of actual leakage beyond the
meter either prior to entering the home or after entering. A leaky
faucet at one drip per second will use 8.6 gallons per day, 263
gallons per month and 3,153 gallons per year. A leaking flapper valve
in your toilet will leak at a rate of 5 drips per second and constitutes
a steady stream. At 5 drips per second the amount of water lost per day
is 43 gallons, 1,314 gallons per month and 15,770 gallons per
year.
If you suspect that your water consumption has increased and you’re not
sure why, within each standard 3/4” residential meter there is a built
in leak detector. If you open your meter cover and look at the register
you will see a small orange triangle or diamond. If this small dial is
moving and there is no water being used within your home, you should
check for leaks within your home. The City’s Utilities Customer Service
Department has special dye packs that can be placed into the reservoir
of your toilet to locate a leaking flapper valve.
The Storm Water Maintenance Division was formed
through the implementation of the National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES), which was part of the Clean Water Act passed
and placed into effect in 1987.
The primary functions of the Storm Water Maintenance Division are the
removal of sedimentation and trash and debris from the storm water
collection system. Stormwater maintenance includes the removal of
sedimentation and trash from stormwater treatment facilities (retention
ponds), drainage swales and proper pond maintenance. This sedimentation
not only impacts the environment, but also impedes the performance of
the storm water
collection system, which can potentially lead to localized flooding in
areas. The removal of sedimentation from stormwater treatment facilities
assists in the performance of these stormwater treatment facilities
areas to recharge ground water through natural percolation and prevents
harmful by-products from entering surface water surrounding the City.
Under the directive of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NPDES
permit conditions, the City of Tarpon Springs, in conjunction with 23
other cities within Pinellas County, adhere to maintenance guidelines,
which are imposed to maintain water quality within lakes,
streams, and rivers. The Storm Water Maintenance Division has removed
over 20 years of sedimentation from the storm water collection system
and stormwater treatment facilities.
Illicit discharges cause harm to the environment. These discharges come
in many forms from someone throwing cigarette butts or trash onto the
roadway, to the discharge of oil into the storm water collection system.
Other types of illicit discharges include:
Grass clippings
Fertilizers
Pesticides
Herbicides
Detergents
We all need the rain, so please do your part to prevent
pollution and to prevent storm drain clogs that lead to flooding. By
taking the actions recommended you will allow the benefits of rain to
flow into the drain.
Don't blow soil, grass or leaves into the street or storm drain. Soils
and sediment block pipes, and cloud waterways making it difficult for
plants to grow.
Both pet waste and faulty septic systems contribute to fecal coliform in
our recreational waters. Clean up pet waste and flush it down the toilet
or put it in the garbage. Have septic tanks pumped and inspected every
3-5 years so they don’t leak.
Keep your car working properly so motor oil and fluids don't leak onto
roads and into storm ponds and lakes.
Wash your car at a commercial car wash where wastewater is captured and
treated or wash it on the lawn rather than over the driveway.
Never pour waste oil or antifreeze on the ground, into the street, or
down an authorized storm drain.
Take unwanted hazardous household chemicals to a drop off location for
proper disposal or
recycling.
Use lawn chemicals wisely and fertilizers sparingly. Excess fertilizers
flows downstream and often results in algae bloom in ponds and lakes.
Litter collects in ditches and waterways after storms. This is a great
opportunity for a community trash pick up project.
STREET SWEEPING
In conjunction with storm water maintenance on
drainage systems sedimentation removal and pond maintenance, the Street
Sweeping program is the number one way the City helps to prevent
pollutants from entering into waterways.
High-traffic areas (such as the business district) are swept daily, Monday through Friday. The balance
of the City’s non-business area is divided into twelve (12) sections,
which are swept on a rotational basis. This rotation schedule allows
sweepable streets within the City to be swept every three (3) months or
more frequently.
NPDES and Storm Water Educational and Related Sites:
State of Florida NPDES Stormwater Program
NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
Best
Management Practices and Environmental Education Resources
National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPDES
Stormwater Outreach Materials
NPDES Polluted Runoff Fact
Sheets
Southwest Florida Water
Management District
Pinellas County Environmental Management
University of
Florida IFAS Extension
Tampa Estuary Program