Arsenic FL EPA VIOLATION

Arsenic in Drinking Water — Manatee County Utilities...

Manatee County Utilities Department · Anna Maria, FL · 347,800 people served

380 ppb

Highest Level Detected

10 ppb

EPA Limit

High

Health Risk Level

ZIP Codes Served

347,800

People Served

Reverse Osmosis

Best Filter Method

Data: EPA SDWIS, ECHO, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report

Medical Disclaimer: This page provides environmental data and general health information from EPA and CDC sources. It is not medical advice. If you have health concerns related to your drinking water, consult a healthcare provider.

Arsenic Detected in Manatee County Utilities Department

Arsenic was detected at 380 ppb in the Manatee County Utilities Department water system serving Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Cortez, Ellenton (FL), exceeding the EPA limit of 10 ppb.

This system serves approximately 347,800 people across 23 ZIP codes.

Data source: 2024 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) and EPA SDWIS/ECHO.

Detected Levels

Contaminant	Level Detected	EPA Limit	Status
Arsenic	380 ppb	10 ppb	Violation

Health Effects of Arsenic

The EPA classifies arsenic as a Group A human carcinogen. Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water — even at levels below the MCL — increases the risk of bladder, lung, skin, kidney, and liver cancer. Non-cancer effects include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, skin lesions (darkening and thickening), peripheral neuropathy, and immune system suppression. Children exposed to arsenic may experience cognitive development problems.

Source: ATSDR — Arsenic Toxicological Profile; EPA.

EPA Standard

The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic is 10 ppb, governed by the Arsenic Rule (2006). Water systems that exceed this limit must notify consumers and take corrective action.

What You Can Do

Install a reverse osmosis system — the most reliable arsenic removal technology for homes
Use a point-of-use filter certified to NSF 53 for arsenic reduction
Have your water tested by an EPA-certified lab — especially if you use a private well
If arsenic is naturally occurring in your area, consider whole-house treatment
Do not rely on standard carbon filters — most do not remove arsenic
If on a private well, test annually; arsenic levels can fluctuate seasonally

Recommended Water Filters

The most effective treatment for arsenic removal is Reverse Osmosis.

Filter Type	Effectiveness	NSF Standard	Notes
Reverse Osmosis (RO)	95-99%	NSF 58	Most effective for both arsenate (As V) and arsenite (As III)
Adsorptive Media (iron-based)	90-95%	NSF 53	Effective for arsenate; may need pre-oxidation for arsenite
Distillation	98%+	NSF 62	Very effective but impractical for large volumes

ZIP Codes Served by This System

Check water quality for your specific ZIP code:

Related Resources

Detected Levels

Contaminant	Level Detected	EPA Limit	Status
Arsenic	380 ppb	10 ppb	Violation

Recommended Water Filters

The most effective treatment for arsenic removal is Reverse Osmosis.

Filter Type	Effectiveness	NSF Standard	Notes
Reverse Osmosis (RO)	95-99%	NSF 58	Most effective for both arsenate (As V) and arsenite (As III)
Adsorptive Media (iron-based)	90-95%	NSF 53	Effective for arsenate; may need pre-oxidation for arsenite
Distillation	98%+	NSF 62	Very effective but impractical for large volumes

ZIP Codes Served by This System

34201 34202 34203 34204 34205 34206 34207 34208 34209 34210 34211 34212 34215 34216 34217 34218 34219 34222 34250 34264 +3 more

Full Water System Profile: See all contaminants, violations, and lead levels for Manatee County Utilities Department.

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