Pinellas County Utilities
EPA ID: FL6521405 · 506,353 people served · 57 ZIP codes
Not yet resolved: 22 EPA violations at Pinellas County Utilities, affecting about 506,353 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 30 (2024) to 23 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Pinellas County Utilities Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Pinellas County Utilities serves a community with a median household income of $72,708 and an estimated 717,083 residents across its service area. Approximately 66% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Pinellas County Utilities's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Pinellas County, Florida rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Pinellas County Utilities compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 4 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 11 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Coliform at 9 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 65 detections recorded. 14 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 14 exceed state limits.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
PINELLAS COUNTY UTILITIES (EPA ID: FL6521405) is a community water system in Florida that serves approximately 506,353 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 57 ZIP codes across 15 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (62/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 1, 2025 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Lead | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 11 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 9 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 4 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34683 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 34684 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 34685 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33756 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33757 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33758 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33760 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33761 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33762 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33763 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33764 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33766 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33769 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33770 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33771 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33773 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33774 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33778 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 33779 | 0.0008 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 33 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 24 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
This system serves 57 ZIP codes:
33702 · 33706 · 33708 · 33709 · 33715 33716 · 33729 · 33731 · 33732 · 33734 33736 · 33737 · 33738 · 33740 · 33741 33742 · 33743 · 33744 · 33747 · 33755 33756 · 33757 · 33758 · 33759 · 33760 33761 · 33762 · 33763 · 33764 · 33765 33766 · 33767 · 33769 · 33770 · 33771 33772 · 33773 · 33774 · 33775 · 33776 33777 · 33778 · 33779 · 33781 · 33782 33784 · 33785 · 33786 · 34677 · 34681 34683 · 34684 · 34685 · 34688 · 34689 34695 · 34698
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Pinellas County Utilities (FL6521405) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pinellas County Utilities water safe to drink?
Pinellas County Utilities has recorded 3 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Pinellas County Utilities serve?
Pinellas County Utilities serves approximately 506,353 people across 57 ZIP codes in Florida.
Where does Pinellas County Utilities get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Contact Your Water Utility
Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.
Contact information from Pinellas County Utilities Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Water Source & Treatment
Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.
Source: Pinellas County Utilities Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
2024 DEP Source Water Assessments for TBW facilities. Available at FDEP SWAPP website.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
Treatment chemicals and what each one does
Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Pinellas County Utilities Consumer Confidence Report.
Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead service line inventory developed. Available at pinellas.gov/utilities-service-line-inventory.
Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker
This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.
Pinellas County Utilities
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.
Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: FDEP PWS Lead Service Line Inventories (LSLI) · Submitted 2024
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Aesthetic water quality
These measurements describe the look, taste, and feel of the water this utility delivers. They are not contaminant violations — they sit alongside federal Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) which the EPA publishes as non-enforceable guidance.
Aesthetic measurements from Pinellas County Utilities Consumer Confidence Report.
Aesthetic measurements are reported by the utility from its annual sampling. EPA Secondary MCLs are advisory thresholds — values outside them indicate aesthetic concerns such as taste or appearance, not health violations. Federal contaminant testing is shown in the sections above.
Hard water detected in Pinellas County Utilities
Your utility reported water hardness of 210 ppm CaCO₃ (12.3 grains per gallon) in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report. This is in the hard range and may cause scale buildup, reduced appliance lifespan, and dry skin or hair.
There are three common approaches to treating hard water: salt-based ion-exchange softeners (most effective, require salt refills), salt-free conditioners (lower maintenance, scale prevention only), and reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink (cooking and drinking water only). Aquasana, EcoWater, Pelican, and SpringWell are among the major US brands.
Paid Partner. ZipCheckup earns commission on Aquasana purchases. We do not test water or verify product effectiveness for specific hardness levels — manufacturer claims are theirs alone. Consult a certified water-quality professional for personalized advice.
Hardness data parsed from this utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report. Severity bands per USGS hard water classification.
Notable events and violations
This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.
Notable events from the utility's CCR
These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.
- PCU will discontinue fluoride addition by July 1, 2025 per Florida legislation. Natural fluoride (0.15-0.50 ppm) will remain.
- UCMR5: PFAS not detected in any drinking water samples at distribution system entry points.
- PCU designated 'optimized' for corrosion control by FDEP. 2023 tri-annual lead sampling: 0.8 ppb 90th percentile (well below 15 ppb AL).
- Hardness: 9.8-14.7 grains per gallon equivalent.
ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
- #15 / 50 Highest Exposure Burden (Florida)
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Pinellas County Utilities (EPA ID: FL6521405) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.