Water Quality in Clearwater, FL: 76 Violations - Grade N/A
6 water systems · 9 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 76 violations across 9 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Clearwater. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Clearwater
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33761 | 45 | 0 | View report → |
| 33763 | 45 | 0 | View report → |
| 33756 | 44 | 7 | View report → |
| 33755 | 31 | 0 | View report → |
| 33760 | 22 | 3 | View report → |
| 33762 | 22 | 3 | View report → |
| 33764 | 21 | 0 | View report → |
| 33759 | 7 | 0 | View report → |
| 33765 | 7 | 0 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Clearwater.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
Water Quality Overview
Clearwater, Florida has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 9 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 76 violations, including 10 health-based violations across 9 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Clearwater water systems is 0.0021 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 9 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 69% of homes built before 1986, Clearwater has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Clearwater
Clearwater is served by 6 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 184,563 people across 13 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 67 enforcement actions against water systems serving Clearwater. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Clearwater
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Clearwater Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Clearwater's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 41 | 9 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 35 | 7 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 22 | 9 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 16 | 9 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 14 | 7 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Clearwater:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
Violations have increased from 3 in 2021 to 6 in 2024. This trend warrants monitoring.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 21 enforcement actions against water systems serving Clearwater. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-27 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-01-05 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-11-03 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-09-10 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-09-04 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-09-02 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-08-26 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-08-01 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-07-25 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-07-24 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-27.
Clearwater vs. Nearby Florida Cities
How Clearwater's water quality compares to similar cities in Florida:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater | 9 | 76 | 6 | 184,563 |
| Boynton Beach | 6 | 32 | 6 | 176,909 |
| Eaton Park | 1 | 6 | 1 | 193,297 |
| Melbourne | 5 | 17 | 4 | 175,175 |
Recommended Water Filters for Clearwater
Based on contaminants detected in Clearwater's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
UV Disinfection System (POE or POU)
- Removes: Total Coliform Bacteria
- Effectiveness: 99.99%
- Cost range: $100–$700
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 55
- Recommended products:
- Viqua VH200
- HQUA UV System
- Waterdrop G3P800
Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)
- Removes: Arsenic, Barium, Chromium
- Effectiveness: 90-99%
- Cost range: $150–$500
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
- Recommended products:
- Waterdrop G3P800
- iSpring RCC7AK
- Crystal Quest Arsenic Filter
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Clearwater
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Clearwater's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 33761 | 45 | 0 |
| 33763 | 45 | 0 |
| 33756 | 44 | 7 |
| 33755 | 31 | 0 |
| 33760 | 22 | 3 |
| 33762 | 22 | 3 |
| 33764 | 21 | 0 |
| 33759 | 7 | 0 |
| 33765 | 7 | 0 |
Common Questions About Clearwater Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Clearwater, Florida:
Is Clearwater water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Clearwater's 6 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Clearwater tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 10 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Clearwater? Based on detected contaminants, a uv disinfection system (poe or pou) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Clearwater vs. Florida Average
Understanding how Clearwater compares to the broader Florida average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Clearwater.
ZIP Codes in Clearwater
Clearwater spans 13 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 9 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.