Community Water System · PWS FL6521784
Tarpon Springs Water System
Tarpon Springs, Florida 34688-5004 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 28,875 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.
- 28,875
- People served
- 43
- EPA violations
- 11
- Health-based
- 8 PFAS
- UCMR5 result
The verdict
EPA records 43 drinking-water violations at Tarpon Springs Water System, 26% of them health-based - above the Florida per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 8 PFAS compounds.
- 43
- Total EPA violations on record
- 26%
- Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
- 28,875
- People served by this system
- 8
- PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)
Water Quality Snapshot: Tarpon Springs Water System
Tarpon Springs Water System is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 28,875 residents in Tarpon Springs, Florida (Pinellas County) through 9,730 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 43 total violations for this system , of which 11 (26%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 20 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2024.
The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 12 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 8 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 36.9 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.
Across Florida, EPA tracks 5,093 public water systems serving 22,381,282 people, with 184,355 cumulative violations and 24,266 health-based violations on record. About 93% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 36.2 violations. Statewide, 218 of 402 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (54.2%).
Tarpon Springs Water System's 43 violations sit above the Florida average.
All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.
8 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.
System Details
- System Type
- Community
- Owner Type
- Local
- Connections
- 9,730
- County
- Pinellas
- School/Daycare
- No
- MCL Violations
- 11
- Monitoring Violations
- 20
- Treatment Tech Violations
- 0
Violation History
Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.
| Contaminant | Category | Count | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coliform (TCR) | MR | 12 | 2013 |
| Coliform (TCR) | MCL | 11 | 2002 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MON | 5 | 2024 |
| Nitrate | MR | 2 | 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Other | 1 | 2024 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U | MR | 1 | 1984 |
PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)
Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 32 of 174 samples detected PFAS.
| Contaminant | Date | Result | MRL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFNA | 9/28/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 9/28/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 9/28/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 9/28/2023 | 10.50 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFOS | 9/28/2023 | 36.30 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 9/28/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 9/28/2023 | 7.50 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFHpA | 9/28/2023 | 4.40 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFBS | 9/28/2023 | 14.60 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 9/28/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 9/28/2023 | 10.50 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFPeS | 9/28/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 9/28/2023 | 7.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 9/28/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 9/28/2023 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 9/28/2023 | 10.20 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFMPA | 9/28/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 9/28/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 9/28/2023 | 6.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 9/28/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 9/28/2023 | 8.20 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 9/28/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 9/28/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 9/28/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 9/28/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 9/28/2023 | 4.60 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFUnA | 9/28/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 9/28/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 9/28/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 9/28/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 9/28/2023 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 9/28/2023 | 6.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFHpA | 9/28/2023 | 3.10 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFHxS | 9/28/2023 | 9.10 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFNA | 9/28/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 9/28/2023 | 33.80 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFOA | 9/28/2023 | 10.30 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Detected |
Verify This Water System
The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Tarpon Springs Water System.
EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:
View PWS ID FL6521784 on SDWISSource: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search
Florida Drinking Water Authority
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water Program is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Tarpon Springs Water System under EPA-delegated authority.
Open FL regulator portalSource: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water Program
Violation Timeline
Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.
| Year (latest) | Contaminant | Category | Count | EPA Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | MON | 5 | SDWIS / FL6521784 / 8000 |
| 2024 | Consumer Confidence Rule | Other | 1 | SDWIS / FL6521784 / 7000 |
| 2023 | Nitrate | MR | 2 | SDWIS / FL6521784 / 1040 |
| 2013 | Coliform (TCR) | MR | 12 | SDWIS / FL6521784 / 3100 |
| 2002 | Coliform (TCR) | MCL | 11 | SDWIS / FL6521784 / 3100 |
| 1984 | Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U | MR | 1 | SDWIS / FL6521784 / 4000 |
How Tarpon Springs Water System Compares
Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.
| Metric | Tarpon Springs Water System | Florida avg | Federal benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total violations | 43 | 36.2 | SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach |
| Health-based violations | 11 | 4.8 | Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL |
| PFAS detection | 8 compounds | 54.2% | EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt |
| Population served | 28,875 | 4,395 | Sizing context for compliance burden |
Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 5,093 regulated public water systems in Florida.
Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
| Contaminant | Federal MCL / Action Level | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) | Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique |
| Arsenic | 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) | Health-based MCL since 2006 |
| Total Coliform | Treatment technique (RTCR) | Indicator organism, monitoring trigger |
| PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) | 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) | Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026) |
| Nitrate (as N) | 10 mg/L | Acute health risk for infants |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tarpon Springs Water System water safe to drink? ▼
How many people does Tarpon Springs Water System serve? ▼
What type of violations does Tarpon Springs Water System have? ▼
Has PFAS been detected in Tarpon Springs Water System water? ▼
What water source does Tarpon Springs Water System use? ▼
Where does this data come from? ▼
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.