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Is Jensen Beach Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:48 pm, August 12, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Jensen Beach?

Yes, Jensen Beach's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Jensen Beach has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Jensen Beach's water utility, Martin Co Utilities, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Jensen Beach was resolved on March 31, 2014. This assessment is based on the Martin Co Utilities water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Jensen Beach Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Jensen Beach tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Jensen Beach's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Jensen Beach Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Martin Co Utilities for Jensen Beach in Florida. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

From Jan. 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014, Jensen Beach had 2 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant codes: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

From Oct. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013, Jensen Beach had 2 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant codes: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

For the compliance period beginning Jan. 1, 2012, Jensen Beach had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Lead and Copper Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Lead and Copper Rule.

From Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012, Jensen Beach had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Regular which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Inorganic Chemicals rule code family for the following contaminant code: Nitrate.

Is there Lead in Jensen Beach Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Jensen Beach water system, Martin Co Utilities, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0034 mg/L of lead in Jensen Beach water. This is 22.7% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Jensen Beach contained more lead.

While Jensen Beach water testing may have found 0.0034 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Jensen Beach Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be no military bases near Jensen Beach with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Jensen Beach has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Jensen Beach SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
01/01/2014 - 03/31/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
01/01/2014 - 03/31/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
10/01/2013 - 12/31/2013 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
10/01/2013 - 12/31/2013 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
01/01/2012 - Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R (52) Lead and Copper Rule (350) Lead and Copper Rule (5000) Chemicals (300) Lead and Copper Rule (350)
01/01/2012 - 12/31/2012 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Nitrates (331) Nitrate (1040) Chemicals (300) Inorganic Chemicals (330)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Jensen Beach Water - Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I CONTACT JENSEN BEACH CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Jensen Beach water provider, Martin Co Utilities, please use the information below.
By Phone: 772-221-1442
By Mail: PO BOX 9000
STUART, FL, 34995
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR MARTIN CO UTILITIES
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Martin Co Utilities account to pay their Jensen Beach water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Martin Co Utilities bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Jensen Beach water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Jensen Beach water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP JENSEN BEACH WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Jensen Beach means you will often need to put the water in your name with Martin Co Utilities. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Jensen Beach means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Martin Co Utilities. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Jensen Beach tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 33% Low
  • Water Pollution 49% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 67% High
  • Water Quality 51% Moderate

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Jensen Beach, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Jensen Beach Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Jensen Beach's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

2020 DRINKING WATER

QUALITY REPORT

MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE

Martin County’s Utilities and Solid Waste Department makes a daily commitment to provide the highest quality drinking water to our residents. This report reflects that commitment and represents a summary of the quality of your drinking water. PWS # 4431891

Martin County Utilities

and Solid Waste Department

3473 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart

772.221.1434

www.martin.fl.us

Dear Martin County Utility Customer,

The Martin County Utilities and Solid Waste Department is pleased to present you with this Annual Water Quality Report. The purpose of the report is to keep you informed about water quality and the services we have provided to you during the past year.

Martin County Utilities provides residents and businesses with reliable water, sewer and reclaimed water management services. We are proud of our employees who work to ensure we maintain the highest standards of water quality and customer service.

Martin County Utilities strives to provide a standard of excellence to our customers that we can all be proud of. Our goal has always been, and will continue to be, providing you with a dependable supply of drinking water.

There are many aspects to the services we provide. After reading this information, we encourage you to contact us if you have additional questions or would

like to share your thoughts with us. We encourage suggestions and look for opportunities to improve wherever possible.

We are here to serve you!

Thank you,

Samuel Amerson, P.E.

Director, Martin County Utilities and Solid Waste

If you are a landlord or manager, please provide this water quality report to your residents/ tenants. This report may be photocopied or posted in a prominent location at your facility.

1 This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office

  1. 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback.

OUR TREATMENT PLANTS

Martin County Utilities is dedicated to protecting public health by providing safe drinking water in a cost effective manner. Our customers are our first priority. As demands on Southeast Florida’s limited water resources increase and EPA drinking water standards become more restrictive, these objectives are continually challenged. We are proud of our forward-thinking approach to providing a safe drinking water supply to our citizens.

Martin County Utilities operates two plants: the North County Water Treatment Plant in Jensen Beach and Tropical Farms Water Treatment Plant in the south. Both plants utilize two distinct underground sources of water, the shallower surficial aquifer and the deeper Floridan aquifer, each requiring different methods of treatment. By treating the more mineralized Floridan aquifer, considered an alternative water source, we conserve the shallow groundwater for future. Blending it with the surficial product water provides alkalinity and hardness and results in a stable finished product.

Our Tropical Farms plant is a 10 million gallon per day (MGD) facility that consists of 8 MGD of reverse osmosis (RO) treated brackish groundwater and 2 MGD of surficial groundwater that has been treated through an iron treatment facility (ITF). The product of the RO process is relatively free of desirable minerals, so ITF

Tropical Farms Water Treatment Plant

North Water Treatment Plant

product water is then blended to enhance the stability of the water. The blended water is degasified to strip out hydrogen sulfide gas, followed by pH and alkalinity adjustment. Adequate disinfection is then performed to retain an acceptable residual for safety throughout the system, and the finished water is transferred to storage and pumped to distribution.

Our North plant is an 8.8 MGD facility that consists of 5.5 MGD of RO treated brackish groundwater and

3.3 MGD of surficial water blend. The treatment process is very similar to Tropical Farms. Surficial groundwater is chlorinated and flows through multi-media filters. The RO permeate is degasified and chlorinated prior to mixing with the surficial blend water. Alkalinity and pH are then adjusted, disinfection is accomplished, and finally the

finished water is transferred to storage and distribution.

MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

2

3473 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart | 772.221.1434 | www.martin.fl.us

 

MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES & SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

The Martin County Utilities & Solid Waste Department is proud of the following awards and achievements:

Awards

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Large System Drinking Water Plant Operations Excellence Award Winner (2018)

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Operations Excellence Award Winner for Martin County Tropical Farms Wastewater Treatment Facility (2018)

First Runner-up Best Tasting Drinking Water of the American Water Works Association Region 8 (2016-2017)

Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (2016-2019)

Achievements

Ensured the exemplary delivery of water, reclaimed water and sewage services through the COVID19 Pandemic while maintaining all monitoring, staffing and water quality requirements. (2020)

Completed the construction of three disc filtration units at the Tropical Farms wastewater treatment facility to enhance reclaimed water quality and reliability. (2020)

In coordination with the State of Florida, an emergency response pilot project was implemented to remove cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms from the St. Lucie River, which included recovery, storage, treatment, and disposal. (2018)

Improvements, consisting of clarifier covers, were completed at both wastewater treatment facilities to enhance operations and the quality of reclaimed water. (2018)

Three, one-million gallon reclaimed water storage tanks were constructed and put in service, providing additional storage of high quality reclaimed water for landscape irrigation and further conserving drinking water and groundwater sources. (2016)

3MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

3473 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart | 772.221.1434 | www.martin.fl.us

DRINKING WATER

QUALITY & SAFETY

The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and in some cases radioactive material. Water can also pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.

In order to ensure that tap water is acceptable to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.

Lead Exposure

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is caused primarily by materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Martin County Utilities is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but

cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.

If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead or by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1.800.426.4791.

Vulnerable Populations

Some people with special health concerns may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as those with cancer, those undergoing chemotherapy, those who have undergone organ transplants, those with HIV/AIDS

or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infant population can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and EPA guidelines regarding the appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are also available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1.800.426.4791.

MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

4

3473 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart | 772.221.1434 | www.martin.fl.us

 

Source Water Contamination

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

  • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife
  • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming
  • Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses
  • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by- products of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems
  • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of mining activities and oil and gas production

Source Water Assessments

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) conducted its most recent assessment of our source water systems in 2020. The assessment was performed to provide information about any potential sources of contamination in the vicinity of our wells. For our system, all potential sources of contamination were assigned a low susceptibility score.

The threat of contamination is further mitigated by a well field protection ordinance and extensive water quality testing. Assessment results and more information are available on the FDEP Source Water Assessment and Protection Program website at https://fldep.dep.state.fl.us/swapp/ and can also be obtained from Martin County Utilities at 772.221.1434.

More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1.800.426.4791.

Martin County Utilities Water

Quality Monitoring

An important part of providing drinking water to our customers is monitoring its quality from the point it is first drawn from our wells to its final delivery to every home or business. Martin County Utilities water quality monitoring program includes chemical and microbiological sampling and analysis by our own Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Public Health certified laboratory and FDEP certified treatment plant operators.

Wellfields: The suitability of source water is evaluated prior to the construction of a production well. Well water is then regularly monitored for quality.

Treatment process: The processes are managed by licensed operators 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Process control testing and on-line analyzers provide continuous data.

Finished water: Monitoring and testing at the points-of- entry to the distribution system are an ongoing activity.

Distribution system: Monitoring of the water quality in the network of water mains comprising the distribution system is conducted monthly at 100+ sampling stations located throughout our service area.

5MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

3473 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart | 772.221.1434 | www.martin.fl.us

WATER QUALITY GLOSSARY OF TERMS

In our line of work, we use a lot of acronyms. Here are some of the most common ones:

AL

Action Level:

The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

LRAA

Locational Running Annual Average:

The average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters.

MCL

Maximum Contaminant Level:

The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal:

The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

MRDL

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level:

The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

MRDLG

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal:

The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

ND

Non Detects:

This means “not detected” and indicates that the substance was not found by laboratory analysis.

PCi/L

Picocuries Per Liter:

A measure of the radioactivity in water.

PPB

Parts Per Billion:

This means one part by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water sample.

PPM

Parts Per Million:

This means one part by weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the water sample.

MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

6

3473 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart | 772.221.1434 | www.martin.fl.us

 

WATER QUALITY TEST RESULTS

Martin County Utilities routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Except where indicated otherwise, this report is based on the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2020. Data obtained before January 1, 2020, and presented in this report, are from the most recent testing done in accordance with the applicable laws, rules and regulations.

INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS

Results in the “Level Detected” column for inorganic contaminants are the highest average at any of the sampling points or the highest detected level at any sampling point, depending on the sampling frequency.

 

Dates of

MCL

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminant &

Sampling

Violation

Level

Range of

 

 

 

Unit of Measurement

(mo. / yr.)

Y / N

Detected

Results

MCLG

MCL

Likely Source of Contamination

Barium (ppm)

3/20

N

0.0022

0.0014 -

2

2

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries;

0.0022

erosion of natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and

Fluoride (ppm)

3/20

N

0.25

0.085 - 0.25

4

4.0

aluminum factories. Water additive which promotes strong

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

teeth when at the optimum level of 0.7 ppm.

Nitrate (as Nitrogen) (ppm)

3/20

N

0.034

ND - 0.034

10

10

Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks,

sewage; erosion of natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium (ppm)

3/20

N

55.4

54.7 - 55.4

N/A

160

Salt water intrusion, leaching from soil.

DISINFECTANTS AND DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS

For total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids, the level detected is the highest locational running annual average (LRAA) of each of the sample sites, and the range of results is the range of all individual sample results during the past year. For chloramines, the level detected is the highest running annual average (RAA), computed quarterly, of monthly averages of all samples collected. The range of results is the range of results of all the individual samples collected during the past year.

 

Dates of

MCL

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminant & Unit of

Sampling

Violation

Level

Range of

MCLG or

MCL or

 

Measurement

(mo. / yr.)

Y / N

Detected

Results

MRDLG

MRDL

Likely Source of Contamination

TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes) (ppb)

2/20 - 11/20

N

54.4

27.9

- 63.0

N/A

MCL = 80

By-product of drinking water disinfection.

HAA5 (Haloacetic Acid) (ppb)

2/20 - 11/20

N

44.0

29.1

- 51.7

N/A

MCL = 60

By-product of drinking water disinfection.

Chloramines (ppm)

2/20 - 11/20

N

3.0

0.6

- 4.4

MRDLG = 4

MRDL = 4.0

Water additive used to control microbes.

LEAD AND COPPER (TAP WATER)

 

Dates of

AL

90th

No. of sampling

 

 

 

Contaminant & Unit of

Sampling

Exceeded

Percentile

sites exceeding

 

Action Level

 

Measurement

(mo. / yr.)

Y / N

Result

the AL

MCLG

(AL)

Likely Source of Contamination

Copper (tap water) (ppm)

8/20

N

0.15

0

1.3

1.3

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of

natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead (tap water) (ppb)

8/20

N

3.6

1

0

15

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of

natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS

Martin County Utilities is participating in a study to help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determine the occurrence in drinking water of a list of unregulated contaminants, and whether or not regulation of these contaminants is warranted. Currently, no health-based standards have been established for these unregulated contaminants under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). More information on the study can be found at epa.gov/ dwucmr or the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800.426.4791.

Contaminant & Unit of Measurement

Dates of Sampling (mo. / yr.)

Level Detected

Range of Results

Likely Source of Contamination

HAA6Br, group of six brominated haloacetic acid

2/20 - 8/20

9.4

7.5 - 10.6

By-product of drinking water disinfection.

compounds (ppb)

 

 

 

 

HAA9, group of nine haloacetic acid com-

2/20 - 8/20

43.0

35.8 - 47.7

By-product of drinking water disinfection.

pounds (ppb)

 

 

 

 

Manganese (ppm)

2/20 - 8/20

0.0014

0.0004 - 0.002

Natural occurrence from soil leaching.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires water quality monitoring for over 80 drinking water contaminants. As you can see by the tables, your drinking water meets or exceeds all federal and state requirements. The table above does not list those parameters with analytical results of not detected.

7MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

3473 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart | 772.221.1434 | www.martin.fl.us

PREVENTING

BACKFLOW

Martin County is committed to providing safe, reliable drinking water; however, safeguarding drinking water is everyone’s responsibility.

To protect against backflow contamination, the county has a cross connection control program that includes requirements for residential and commercial customers. Cross connections are any actual or potential connections between a drinking water system and any source containing non-potable water or any other substance from which backflow may occur. Improper plumbing and cross connections can allow backflow, contaminating your water and the county drinking water system.

Residents must ensure no conditions exist on their property that could contaminate their water supply. There are several ways to reduce the risk of contamination by backflow:

  • Hoses – Never place the end of a hose where contaminants could siphon back into your drinking water. Examples include: a bathtub pool or spa, aquarium, laundry sink, bucket, or floor drain.
  • Hose-end sprayers – Often used with house/deck washes and lawn fertilizers/ pesticides. Do not connect a sprayer to your hose without first installing hose- connection vacuum breakers on your home’s outdoor taps.
  • Irrigation – Install an approved backflow prevention device on all underground lawn irrigation systems. Please contact your irrigation specialist to ensure a backflow preventer is in place and functional.
  • Onsite wells/reclaimed water – Never connect any auxiliary water source into your plumbing system, either directly or indirectly.

WHAT’S ON TAP NOW AND FOR

THE FUTURE?

Martin County Utilities continues to expand water and wastewater services to existing residences and businesses within the utility’s service area. A water main extension project to serve properties along Indian River Drive is currently nearing completion. This project ensures enhanced drinking water quality and fire protection for residents.

Septic to sewer conversions have long been a priority of the Board of County Commissioners. Over the years, we have completed numerous projects to provide sewer service to over 4,400 properties formerly served by septic systems within the Martin County Utilities service area. Recently completed projects include force main installations in the neighborhoods of Indian River Drive, North Sewall’s Point, Tropical Farms, Magnolia Bluff, and Palm Lake Estates.

The current five year sewer plan will provide service availability to approximately 3,800 additional parcels. Vacuum or gravity sewer systems will be constructed in the larger neighborhoods and small diameter force main systems utilizing grinder stations will be installed in smaller neighborhoods. Additional details can be found at: www.martin.fl.us/SeptictoSewer.

Two additional Floridan aquifer wells are under construction to supply the existing Tropical Farms Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant. These 1,400-foot deep wells are an alternative to traditional surficial groundwater sources, providing increased sustainability of the Martin County Utilities source water supply. Minimizing the reliance on shallow groundwater prevents saltwater intrusion, lowered lake levels and loss of wetlands.

MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

8

3473 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart | 772.221.1434 | www.martin.fl.us

 

10 WAYS YOU

CAN HELP

2

MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES

AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

CONSERVE WATER

TURN OFF

 

AT HOME

SPRINKLERS

 

WHEN IT RAINS.

 

 

All automatic sprinkler

 

1

systems installed since

 

1991 must have a rainfall

 

shut-off device, according

 

to Florida law. The device

 

IRRIGATE NO

overrides the sprinkler

 

MORE THAN

system when

 

ONCE A WEEK

it rains.

 

3

 

in the winter or twice

4

 

 

5

 

 

a week in

 

 

 

 

 

the summer.

 

 

 

 

 

ATTACH

 

USE FLORIDA-

 

 

 

IRRIGATE

 

 

 

YOUR HOSE

 

FRIENDLY AND

 

 

 

DURING THE

 

 

 

to an automatic or self-

 

DROUGHT-

 

 

EARLY MORNING

 

 

cancelling nozzle

TOLERANT PLANTS

 

hours when temperatures

 

 

that can adjust water

 

 

 

flow from the hose to a

 

in your landscape.

 

 

and wind speeds are

 

 

 

 

 

the lowest. This reduces

 

 

fine spray. Always turn

These plants do not need

 

 

 

 

 

water loss through

 

 

water off at the faucet,

as much water as other

 

 

 

 

 

 

evaporation.

 

 

 

 

instead of at the nozzle,

 

varieties and are more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to avoid leaks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

likely to survive in a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

dry period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REPAIR

 

 

 

REPLACE OR

 

 

 

DRIPPING FAUCETS

 

ADJUST THE

 

 

 

by replacing the washers

 

TOILET HANDLE

 

 

 

inside. One drop per

 

if it frequently sticks

 

 

 

 

second wastes

 

 

in the flush

position,

 

 

 

2,700 gallons of

water

 

letting

water run

 

8

 

 

per year.

 

9

 

 

constantly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATE

 

 

 

INSTALL WATER

 

 

 

AUTOMATIC

 

 

SOFTENING

 

 

DO SOMETHING

 

DISHWASHERS

 

 

SYSTEMS ONLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVERY DAY TO

 

and clothes washers

 

 

when necessary. Turn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAVE WATER.

 

only for full loads. Scrape

 

softeners off when you

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVERY DROP

 

– don’t rinse – dishes

 

 

leave for vacation.

 

 

 

before loading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COUNTS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARTIN COUNTY UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

9

3473 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart | 772.221.1434 | www.martin.fl.us

 

Contaminants


Martin County Utilities

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 90180
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Groundwater
  • Total: 11

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Arsenic
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Barium
  • Chlorate
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Manganese
  • Nitrate
  • Strontium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

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