Pharmaceuticals and Hormones

RO System, Catalytic Carbon Filter, Whole House Filter System, Ozone Generator, Well Water Treatment Systems, UV System

Pharmaceuticals and Hormones in Tampa Bay's Drinking Water

Pharmaceuticals and hormones from human and animal waste are emerging contaminants being detected in drinking water supplies across the United States. Traces of these compounds are making their way into surface and groundwater sources, creating potential health risks for exposed populations. In Tampa Bay, several key contaminants have been identified in treated drinking water, warranting concern and action among residents.

Presence of Pharmaceuticals and Hormones in Tampa Bay's Water

Studies by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and other agencies have found low levels of pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants in treated drinking water throughout the Tampa Bay region. The primary source is human waste that enters wastewater treatment plants. These facilities are not equipped to fully remove drug compounds before discharging treated water into rivers, lakes, and aquifers used for drinking water.

Animal waste from livestock operations also contributes hormones such as estrogens and androgens to water supplies. Runoff from cattle farms adds estrogen from urine, while poultry litter contains hormonal metabolites. These contaminants persist through wastewater treatment and traditional drinking water disinfection processes.

Health Concerns of Exposure to Pharmaceuticals and Hormones

The presence of pharmaceutical residues and hormones in drinking water raises concerns about potential chronic health effects, especially vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, infants, and children.

Hormones like estrogens and androgens can disrupt normal endocrine system function even at very low doses. Early life exposure may impact reproductive, neurological, and immune system development. Pharmaceuticals like antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapy drugs have biological effects at typical exposure levels found in drinking water. The effects of lifelong consumption of a chemical cocktail of prescription and over-the-counter medications are still unknown.

More research is needed to definitively characterize risks, but prudent steps can be taken to reduce pharmaceutical and hormone contamination using treatment solutions available today.

Detection of Pharmaceuticals and Hormones in Tampa Bay Counties and Cities

Pharmaceuticals and hormones have been detected throughout central Florida ground and surface waters that supply drinking water to communities across the Tampa Bay region. Key areas with documented contamination include:

Pinellas County

St. Petersburg
Clearwater
Largo
Dunedin
Palm Harbor
Tarpon Springs

Pasco County

New Port Richey
Port Richey
Zephyrhills

Hillsborough County

Tampa
Plant City
Sun City
Lutz

Manatee County

Bradenton
Palmetto

Water Treatment Solutions for Pharmaceutical and Hormone Contamination

Advanced water treatment technologies are capable of reducing traces of pharmaceuticals and hormones from drinking water. Effective solutions include:

AquaCarbonGuard Catalytic Carbon Filter - Oxidizes contaminants and adsorbs residues through high-performance catalytic carbon media.
AquaGuard UV SYSTEM - Destroys chemical contaminants with germicidal ultraviolet light.
AquaRevive Reverse Osmosis System - Removes hormones, drugs, and other dissolved contaminants through advanced membrane filtration.
HydroClear Ozone Generator - Oxidizes and destroys organic pharmaceuticals and hormones with ozone injection.
WellFusion Well Water Treatment - Multi-barrier whole house systems tailored for pharmaceutical and hormone removal from private well water.

Protect Your Health with Clean Water

Removing pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other emerging water contaminants requires advanced treatment. Aqua-Wise Water Treatment Solutions offers customized whole home and point-of-use systems to effectively eliminate these compounds and provide clean, healthy drinking water for your home. Schedule your free Tampa Bay water quality test today and we will analyze your water for pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other contaminants. Investing in clean water protects the health of your family.