WATER QUALITY FL

Water Quality in Tampa, FL: 1593 Violations — Grade B

Grade B · Score 75/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03

Tampa'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

The compliance record maintained by the EPA for Tampa, FL documents 1593 water violations — each tied to a specific public water system and assigned a violation category in the federal Safe Drinking Water dataset.

B
Water Grade
1593
Total Violations
5
Water Systems
18
ZIPs with Violations
59
ZIP Codes Monitored
177
Enforcement Actions

Water Quality Map: Tampa, FL

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Water Quality by ZIP Code in Tampa

Water quality varies across Tampa's 59 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.

ZIP Code Grade Score Violations Health
33606 D 49 27 0 View report →
33609 D 49 27 0 View report →
33611 D 49 27 0 View report →
33615 D 49 27 0 View report →
33629 D 49 27 0 View report →
33607 D 54 27 0 View report →
33612 D 54 27 0 View report →
33614 D 54 27 0 View report →
33616 D 54 27 0 View report →
33619 D 54 27 0 View report →
33624 D 54 27 0 View report →
33634 D 54 27 0 View report →
33635 D 54 27 0 View report →
33602 C 59 27 0 View report →
33603 C 59 27 0 View report →

Water Quality Overview

Tampa, Florida receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 75 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).

The 5 water systems serving Tampa have accumulated 1593 EPA violations (all monitoring/reporting type). These violations are tracked across 59 ZIP codes serving approximately 1,477,912 people.

What Grade B Means

A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Tampa'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 Tampa water systems is 0.0007 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.

With 51% of homes built before 1986, Tampa 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 Tampa

Tampa is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 1,477,912 people across 59 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 177 enforcement actions against water systems serving Tampa. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.

How to Check Your Water in Tampa

  1. Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores

  2. Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants

  3. 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

  4. Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics

  5. Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts

Contaminants Detected in Tampa Water Systems

The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Tampa's water systems:

Contaminant Category MCL Violations ZIPs Affected Health-Based
Total Coliform Microbiological N/A 885 59 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique N/A 59 59 No

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.

EPA Enforcement History

The EPA and state regulators have taken 3 enforcement actions against water systems serving Tampa. Recent actions:

Date Action Type
2025-09-23 State Informal Action
2025-09-23 State Informal Enforcement
2025-09-22 State Informal Action

Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-09-23.

Tampa vs. Nearby Florida Cities

How Tampa's water quality compares to similar cities in Florida:

City Grade Violations Systems Population
Tampa B 1593 5 1,477,912
Orlando B 2596 5 1,161,423
Jacksonville B 459 5 916,834
Merritt Island C 0 3 887,723

Recommended Water Filters for Tampa

Based on contaminants detected in Tampa's water supply, these filter types are recommended:

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)

Water Quality by ZIP Code in Tampa

Water quality varies across Tampa's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:

ZIP Code Score Grade Violations Health-Based
33606 49 D 27 0
33609 49 D 27 0
33611 49 D 27 0
33615 49 D 27 0
33629 49 D 27 0
33607 54 D 27 0
33612 54 D 27 0
33614 54 D 27 0
33616 54 D 27 0
33619 54 D 27 0
33688 69 C 27 0
33687 69 C 27 0
33680 69 C 27 0
33679 69 C 27 0
33677 69 C 27 0

Common Questions About Tampa Water

These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Tampa, Florida:

Is Tampa water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Tampa's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.

Can I drink Tampa tap water? Tampa's water receives a grade of B (75/100). No health-based violations have been recorded, but home testing is always recommended.

What is the best water filter for Tampa? 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.

Tampa vs. Florida Average

Understanding how Tampa 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 Tampa.

ZIP Codes in Tampa

Tampa spans 59 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 33601. 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

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tampa tap water safe to drink?
Tampa's water receives a grade of B (75/100), indicating safe tap water that meets EPA standards across 59 monitored ZIP codes.
What contaminants are found in Tampa water?
Tampa water systems have recorded 1593 total violations, including 0 health-based violations. Specific contaminants vary by ZIP code — check your ZIP report for details on detected substances.
How many water violations does Tampa have?
Tampa has 1593 total EPA violations across 5 water systems. 18 of 59 ZIP codes have at least one violation.
How many water systems serve Tampa?
Tampa is served by 5 public water systems supplying drinking water across 59 ZIP codes. Water quality can vary between systems — check your specific ZIP code for localized data.

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.

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