Water Quality in Sarasota, FL: 144 Violations — Grade B
Grade B · Score 83/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Sarasota's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Sarasota in FL has 144 EPA water violations documented — the compliance history below covers what was flagged and which local systems are associated with each finding.
Water Quality Map: Sarasota, FL
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Sarasota
Water quality varies across Sarasota's 18 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34236 | B | 72 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34242 | B | 72 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34231 | B | 77 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34232 | B | 77 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34237 | B | 77 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34239 | B | 77 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34243 | B | 77 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34234 | B | 82 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34238 | B | 82 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34240 | B | 82 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34241 | B | 82 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34230 | A | 87 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34233 | A | 87 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34235 | A | 87 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
| 34278 | A | 92 | 8 | 3 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Sarasota, Florida receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 83 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 5 water systems serving Sarasota have accumulated 144 EPA violations, including 54 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 18 ZIP codes serving approximately 353,485 people.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Sarasota's water systems meet the vast majority of federal requirements. Minor violations may exist but typically relate to monitoring or reporting rather than health-based standards.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Sarasota water systems is 0.0005 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 55% of homes built before 1986, Sarasota 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 Sarasota
Sarasota is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 353,485 people across 18 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
How to Check Your Water in Sarasota
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
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 Sarasota Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Sarasota's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 18 | 18 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 18 | 18 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 18 | 18 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 18 | 18 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Sarasota vs. Nearby Florida Cities
How Sarasota's water quality compares to similar cities in Florida:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarasota | B | 144 | 5 | 353,485 |
| Odessa | B | 13 | 5 | 351,400 |
| Anna Maria | D | 0 | 1 | 347,800 |
| Bradenton Beach | D | 0 | 1 | 347,800 |
Recommended Water Filters for Sarasota
Based on contaminants detected in Sarasota's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)
- Removes: Chloramine
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
- Berkey Travel
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Trihalomethane (TTHM)
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Sarasota
Water quality varies across Sarasota's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34236 | 72 | B | 8 | 3 |
| 34242 | 72 | B | 8 | 3 |
| 34231 | 77 | B | 8 | 3 |
| 34232 | 77 | B | 8 | 3 |
| 34237 | 77 | B | 8 | 3 |
| 34239 | 77 | B | 8 | 3 |
| 34243 | 77 | B | 8 | 3 |
| 34234 | 82 | B | 8 | 3 |
| 34238 | 82 | B | 8 | 3 |
| 34240 | 82 | B | 8 | 3 |
| 34277 | 95 | A | 8 | 3 |
| 34276 | 95 | A | 8 | 3 |
| 34260 | 95 | A | 8 | 3 |
| 34278 | 92 | A | 8 | 3 |
| 34235 | 87 | A | 8 | 3 |
Water quality scores in Sarasota range from 72 to 95 — a spread of 23 points. This variation means your specific ZIP code matters significantly.
Common Questions About Sarasota Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Sarasota, Florida:
Is Sarasota water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Sarasota's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Sarasota tap water? Sarasota's water receives a grade of B (83/100). There are 54 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Sarasota? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house or under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Sarasota vs. Florida Average
Understanding how Sarasota 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 Sarasota.
ZIP Codes in Sarasota
Sarasota spans 18 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 34230. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. 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
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade B is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.