PlainWater

Community Water System · PWS FL6581591

Sarasota Co Special Util Dist

Sarasota, Florida 34240 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 272,267 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

272,267
People served
29
EPA violations
5
Health-based
2 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 29 drinking-water violations at Sarasota Co Special Util Dist, 17% of them health-based - below the Florida per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds.

29
Total EPA violations on record
17%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
272,267
People served by this system
2
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Sarasota Co Special Util Dist

Sarasota Co Special Util Dist is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 272,267 residents in Sarasota, Florida (Sarasota County) through 131,292 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 29 total violations for this system , of which 5 (17%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 15 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2008.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 7 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 2 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 4.2 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%).

Sarasota Co Special Util Dist's 29 violations sit below 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.

PFAS Detected

2 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
272,267
Total Violations
29
Health-Based Violations
5
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
131,292
County
Sarasota
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
5
Monitoring Violations
15
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MR 7 2008
Coliform (TCR) MCL 5 2008
Arsenic MR 1 1984
Mercury MR 1 1984
Chromium MR 1 1984
Selenium MR 1 1984
Fluoride MR 1 1984
Nitrate MR 1 1984
Cadmium MR 1 1984
Barium MR 1 1984

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 6 of 207 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFBA 8/18/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/18/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 8/18/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 8/18/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 8/18/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 8/18/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 8/18/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 8/18/2025 3.70 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFMBA 8/18/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 8/18/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/18/2025 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/18/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/18/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/18/2025 3.60 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
HFPO-DA 8/18/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/18/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 8/18/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/18/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/18/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 8/18/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/18/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/18/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 8/18/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/18/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/18/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/1/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/1/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/1/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/1/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/1/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/1/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 7/1/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 7/1/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/1/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/1/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/1/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/1/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 7/1/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 7/1/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/1/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/1/2025 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/1/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/1/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/1/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/1/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/1/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/1/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/1/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/1/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 7/1/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not 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 Sarasota Co Special Util Dist.

Federal Source of Truth

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 FL6581591 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Florida Drinking Water Authority

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water Program is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Sarasota Co Special Util Dist under EPA-delegated authority.

Open FL regulator portal

Source: 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
2008 Coliform (TCR) MR 7 SDWIS / FL6581591 / 3100
2008 Coliform (TCR) MCL 5 SDWIS / FL6581591 / 3100
1984 Arsenic MR 1 SDWIS / FL6581591 / 1005
1984 Mercury MR 1 SDWIS / FL6581591 / 1035
1984 Chromium MR 1 SDWIS / FL6581591 / 1020
1984 Selenium MR 1 SDWIS / FL6581591 / 1045
1984 Fluoride MR 1 SDWIS / FL6581591 / 1025
1984 Nitrate MR 1 SDWIS / FL6581591 / 1040
1984 Cadmium MR 1 SDWIS / FL6581591 / 1015
1984 Barium MR 1 SDWIS / FL6581591 / 1010

How Sarasota Co Special Util Dist Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Sarasota Co Special Util Dist Florida avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 29 36.2 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 5 4.8 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 2 compounds 54.2% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 272,267 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 Sarasota Co Special Util Dist water safe to drink?
Sarasota Co Special Util Dist (PWS ID: FL6581591) has 29 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 2 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 272,267 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Sarasota Co Special Util Dist serve?
Sarasota Co Special Util Dist serves 272,267 people in Sarasota, Florida. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 131,292 service connections.
What type of violations does Sarasota Co Special Util Dist have?
Sarasota Co Special Util Dist has 29 total violations: 5 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 15 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Sarasota Co Special Util Dist water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds in Sarasota Co Special Util Dist's water supply: PFPeA, PFBS. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Sarasota Co Special Util Dist use?
Sarasota Co Special Util Dist uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from?
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

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.