If you recently moved to Florida and have been drinking tap water, you may be wondering if Florida tap water is safe to drink. Perhaps your tap water has an odor and taste that isn’t exactly pleasant. Long-term Florida residents have probably noticed that the smell and taste of tap water vary throughout the state. For example, you may have noticed that the tap water in your office tastes slightly different from the tap water in your home, and you are concerned about the safety of drinking it.
The answer to that question is a qualified yes. Under normal conditions, most public water systems in the State of Florida are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and must meet their strict regulations for water quality and safety. Seven counties, though, are regulated by the Florida Department of Health (DOH), a sister agency. To complicate matters even more, extremely small Florida water systems known as Community Public Drinking Water Systems are regulated under a different set of rules and may not be required to meet the same DEP and DOH standards as larger systems.
There are two reasons why your highly regulated tap water may not smell or taste the way you think it should. First, DEP regulations specify the maximum amount of minerals, metals, and contaminants allowed in tap water. That doesn’t mean that the tap water is free of those things. It just means that their concentrations are below DEP maximum levels. Second, DEP is mostly concerned about the safety of tap water and not the smell or taste of it. Some substances found in tap water are not highly regulated because they are not considered to be a safety hazard. However, those substances may still alter the smell and taste of your tap water.
Most of Florida’s tap water comes from groundwater. The water is pumped out of the state’s aquifer through the use of deep wells. An aquifer is an underground layer of permeable rock, such as limestone, through which water can flow. Florida’s aquifer consists of three layers, and tap water is usually pumped out of the deepest layer. The rock in that layer acts as a natural filter and filters out sediment and larger-sized particulates. However, it does not filter out dissolved substances or extremely small particulates.
Yes, Florida’s groundwater can become contaminated, which means that Florida’s tap water can also become contaminated. Sources of contamination include such things as fertilizer runoff, golf course irrigation, construction, and mining. Dry cleaning solvents and leaking underground storage tanks also contribute to groundwater contamination. From time to time, a sewer line will break, which causes raw sewage to flow into surface water.
When there is a chance that tap water has been contaminated, public utility systems are required to issue a “boil water” notice. That means that your water is not safe to drink unless you boil it. Boil water notices are also given when a major water line breaks because the water from a broken water line is in direct contact with the soil. Even when things are working the way they should, your tap water will contain a certain number of contaminants that escape the natural filtering systems.
Not only can tap water contain minerals, metals, and contaminants, but it also can contain bacteria capable of making people sick with diseases like Salmonella. To prevent that from happening, regulated Florida public utility systems inject chlorine or chloramine into their water, usually at wellheads. The chlorine or chloramine is what gives your water its bleach smell and taste. The amount of chlorine and chloramine used is small and is not believed to cause any adverse health effects. However, a high concentration of it can negatively affect your water quality.
The best way to improve the quality of your tap water is to install a whole house water filter system. Such a system relies on carbon filtration to eliminate or reduce to an acceptable level of sediment and silt as well as chlorine and chloramine. You will immediately notice how much better your water tastes with a whole house filter. Even your coffee, tea, and other drinks made with tap water will taste better. Over time, you will also discover that your hair and skin are softer than they were before you installed the whole house filter.
You may also want to invest in a UV water filtration system if you want to have the safest water possible. UV water filtration systems typically do not operate as stand-alone systems but are sold as an option to whole house filter systems. Ultraviolet (UV) rays have the ability to disinfect water and kill microbial parasites that are able to survive chlorine treatment. UV water filtration is also able to disinfect water without chemicals and leaves no taste, odor, or residue.
Whole house filter systems give you cleaner, fresher tasting water by filtering out chlorine, chloramine, and many more contaminants. Even your coffee and tea will taste better when made with filtered water. Your water will also be safer to drink due to the removal of sediment, silt, and debris. Additionally, the removal of harsh chemicals from your shower and bath water will make your hair and skin feel softer.
Water that contains a high concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium is known as hard water. If you have ever taken a shower in hard water, you may have discovered that your soap didn’t want to lather up but produced soap scum. Hard water will also cause mineral deposits to build up on shower heads and in tea kettles and coffee pots. Hard water is also known to damage water heaters. However, hard water can be turned into soft water by using a water softener.
In the past, most water softeners relied on salt to soften water. A salt water softening system uses electrically charged ions to remove the mineral particles, thereby softening the water. Salt-Free Water Softeners operate on a completely different principle that does not require salt.
Water softeners that use salt remove beneficial minerals from the water, such as calcium and magnesium. However, those beneficial minerals are vital for building strong bones and teeth. A salt-free water softening system, though, has the ability to condition the water without removing beneficial minerals. Salt-Free Softeners eliminate hard water scale internally in your plumbing without the use of salt and are safe for pets, lawns, and gardens. Water that has been conditioned in a salt-free system is also more environmentally friendly.
You may be unhappy with the quality of your tap water and are wondering if it is safe to drink. Perhaps it has a strong chemical odor or smells of bleach. You also may have noticed that your hard water is damaging your plumbing and appliances. If you are faced with any of those circumstances, contact us today, and we will be happy to show you how our whole house water filtering systems and salt-free water softeners can greatly improve the quality of your tap water.
Choosing the right whole house filter and salt-free softener for your home can be an overwhelming decision, but we are here to help. If you have ANY questions, feel free to call us during business hours and we’ll be happy to speak with you as long as necessary. If speaking on the phone is not your thing, you can also use the form on our contact page, and we’ll respond as soon as humanly possible.
From the time the order was placed until it showed up at the front door was literally less than 24 hrs!!!
The next day the system was placed in service. It took only a couple leisurely hours to install and within minutes there was a noticeable difference in water quality!!
I can’t believe I waited so long to do this!!
Only after one day I have already recommended this system to many coworkers and friends!!
Thanks for a great product!!
I have been buying bags of 40lb water softener for years, lugging that in and out of my garage, and buying bottle water because we were only treating our water with salt pellets. I compared EVO Water Systems to other systems on the market and found the quality and price to be far more superior than other systems. With that said, I decided to put it to the test. First, the website is very user friendly and easy to navigate (5 stars), 2nd the customer service and their ability to answer all of my questions (and I had a lot) was amazing (5 stars). 3rd I received a shipping notification within 48 hours of purchasing the product on line (5 stars). 4th I received the product 48 hours later (so approximately 4 days from purchase) which is unheard of in this economy (5 stars). 5th – my plumber was able to install the new system and remove my ancient salt softener system in just a matter of a couple of hours (5 stars). And most importantly, our water flowing through our entire house is now perfect to drink and shower with (5 stars)! No more bottle water, no more 40lbs of water softener! Both my wife and daughter said they love the way it makes their hair feel when they shower too (10 stars). It also created more space in my garage since it mounts on the wall (see photo) (5 stars). I signed up for the automatic annual filter order service they offer because I’ll never remember to do that on my own (5 stars). I do not normally leave Google reviews but felt compelled to with this product. I’d probably give it more than 5 stars if I could! I hope the company produces one for RV’s next! I’d buy that in a heartbeat and give it 10 stars too!
Its nice to get a human on the phone quickly.
called with install questions twice and both times got quick knowledgeable advice. Very professional and helpful.7/01/2022
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|---|---|---|---|
| Evo E-1000 | Traditional Tank Filter | ||
| One System Does It All | Requires 2 Systems | ||
| Capacity: 1-6 Bathrooms (15 GPM) | Capacity: 1-3 Bathrooms (9 GPM) Capacity: 4-6 Bathrooms (12 GPM) | ||
| Sale Price: From $776.12 | 1-3 Bathrooms: $820 - $875 4-6 Bathrooms: $1,035 - $1,150 | ||
| All Certified Components NSF/ANSI, 42, 61, 372 - lead-free, CSA B483.1. In compliance with Drinking Water Treatment Units regulations, USA and Canada. | Depends on Manufacturer | ||
| No Electricity Required | No Electricity Required | ||
| No Pre-Soak Required | Requires 24 - 48 Hour Pre-Soak | ||
| No Carbon Dust | Carbon Dust in Tubs and Toilets | ||
| Easy Install - Only 2 Connections | More Difficult to Install - $$$$ - 4 Plumbing Connections - Professional Plumber Recommended | ||
| Zero Water Waste | No Water Waste | ||
| Zero Floor Space Required | Requires Valuable Floor Space | ||
| Take It With You When You Move | Difficult to Move - Big & Heavy | ||
| Easy Plug-and-Play Filter Changes - You're Never Without Filtered Water | Requires Removing Loose Wet Carbon From Filter Tank - Plus 24 - 48 Hour Pre-Soak Before Use and Often Requires a Plumber | ||
| 20" Pleated Sediment Filter - Gives You 2X the Surface Area - Washable | 10" String-Wound Sediment Filter - Not Washable | ||
| High-Performance Carbon Block Technology - 7 to 10 Times More Surface Area Than Standard Loose Granular Activated Carbon Media | Loose Granular Activated Carbon | ||
| Performance Guarantee | Performance Guarantee - May Depend on Manufacturer | ||
| No Channeling or Floating of Carbon Media | Possible Channeling and Floating of Carbon Media That Reduces Pressure and Performance | ||
| Limited Lifetime Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty - May Depend on Manufacturer | ||
All Evo systems are made with certified components and designed for peak performance. Cities and Municipalities often vary the amount of chemicals they introduce into your water throughout the year and in doing so it can affect the longevity of your filter. Replacing your filters once a year ensures that your system is operating at peak performance at all times.
The Evo filters also utilize a Catalytic Activated Coconut Shell Carbon Block technology giving the best filtration possible without the carbon dust, channeling, and flow issues associated with loose granular coal base carbon found in traditional tank-style filters. Simply put, whole house water filtration has Evolved and so has the way you filter your water.
 |  | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Evo E-2000 | Traditional Tank Softener | ||
| One System Does It All | Requires 2 Systems | ||
| Capacity: 1-6 Bathrooms (15 GPM) | Capacity: 1-3 Bathrooms (9 GPM) Capacity: 4-6 Bathrooms (12 GPM) | ||
| Sale Price: From $1,074.23 | 1-3 Bathrooms: $1,430 - $1,560 4-6 Bathrooms: $1,730 - $1,885 | ||
| All Certified Components NSF/ANSI, 42, 61, 372 - lead-free, CSA B483.1. In compliance with Drinking Water Treatment Units regulations, USA and Canada. | Depends on Manufacturer | ||
| No Electricity Required | No Electricity Required | ||
| No Pre-Soak Required | Requires 24 - 48 Hour Pre-Soak | ||
| Easy Install - Only 2 Connections | More Difficult to Install - $$$$ - 4 Plumbing Connections - Professional Plumber Recommended | ||
| Zero Water Waste | No Water Waste | ||
| Zero Floor Space Required | Requires Valuable Floor Space | ||
| Take It With You When You Move | Difficult to Move - Big & Heavy | ||
| 20" Pleated Sediment Filter - Gives You 2X the Surface Area - Washable | 10" String-Wound Sediment Filter - Not Washable | ||
| eSoft Salt-Free TAC Technology - Superior Performance at Standard Flow Rates (Showers, Sinks, and Toilets) | Salt-Free Technology -Requires Higher Flow Rates to Achieve Proper Contact Time | ||
| Performance Guarantee | Performance Guarantee - May Depend on Manufacturer | ||
| Limited Lifetime Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty - May Depend on Manufacturer | ||
 |  | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Evo E-3000 | Traditional 2-Tank Combo | ||
| One System Does It All | Requires 2 Systems | ||
| Capacity: 1-6 Bathrooms (15 GPM) | Capacity: 1-3 Bathrooms (9 GPM) Capacity: 4-6 Bathrooms (12 GPM) | ||
| Sale Price: From $1,598.24 | 1-3 Bathrooms: $2,150 - $2,300 4-6 Bathrooms: $2,600 - $2,850 | ||
| All Certified Components NSF/ANSI, 42, 61, 372 - lead-free, CSA B483.1. In compliance with Drinking Water Treatment Units regulations, USA and Canada. | Depends on Manufacturer | ||
| No Electricity Required | No Electricity Required | ||
| No Pre-Soak Required | Requires 24 - 48 Hour Pre-Soak | ||
| No Carbon Dust | Carbon Dust in Tubs and Toilets | ||
| Easy Install - Only 2 Connections | More Difficult to Install - $$$$ - 6 Plumbing Connections - Professional Plumber Recommended | ||
| Zero Water Waste | No Water Waste | ||
| Zero Floor Space Required | Requires Valuable Floor Space | ||
| Take It With You When You Move | Difficult to Move - Big & Heavy | ||
| Easy Plug-and-Play Filter Changes - You're Never Without Filtered Water | Requires Removing Loose Wet Carbon From Filter Tank - Plus 24 - 48 Hour Pre-Soak Before Use and Often Requires a Plumber | ||
| 20" Pleated Sediment Filter - Gives You 2X the Surface Area - Washable | 10" String-Wound Sediment Filter - Not Washable | ||
| eSoft Salt-Free TAC Technology - Superior Performance at Standard Flow Rates (Showers, Sinks, and Toilets) | Salt-Free Technology -Requires Higher Flow Rates to Achieve Proper Contact Time | ||
| High-Performance Carbon Block Technology - 7 to 10 Times More Surface Area Than Standard Loose Granular Activated Carbon Media | Loose Granular Activated Carbon | ||
| Performance Guarantee | Performance Guarantee - May Depend on Manufacturer | ||
| No Channeling or Floating of Carbon Media | Possible Channeling and Floating of Carbon Media That Reduces Pressure and Performance | ||
| Limited Lifetime Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty - May Depend on Manufacturer | ||
All Evo systems are made with certified components and designed for peak performance. Cities and Municipalities often vary the amount of chemicals they introduce into your water throughout the year and in doing so it can affect the longevity of your filter. Replacing your filters once a year ensures that your system is operating at peak performance at all times.
The Evo filters also utilize a Catalytic Activated Coconut Shell Carbon Block technology giving the best filtration possible without the carbon dust, channeling, and flow issues associated with loose granular coal base carbon found in traditional tank-style filters. Simply put, whole house water filtration has Evolved and so has the way you filter your water.
