Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
HCWRC/NORTHWEST UTILITIES
HCWRC/NORTHWEST UTILITIES delivers tap water graded C (67/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 208,982 residents in TAMPA, Florida using surface water (purchased). The most significant water quality concerns are: Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 813-612-7761.
Is TAMPA tap water safe to drink?
HCWRC/NORTHWEST UTILITIES delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (67/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.
The utility serves 208,982 residents in TAMPA, drawing from surface water (purchased).
Public testing data identifies 13 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Trichloroacetic acid, Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dichloroacetic acid, Dibromoacetic acid, Radium, combined (-226 and -228), Dibromochloromethane, Chromium (hexavalent), Chlorate, Bromoform. For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
Quick actions for TAMPA residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for HCWRC/NORTHWEST UTILITIES.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 18.4 ppb, 307x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 22.1 ppb, 221x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 31.9 ppb, 213x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Contact HCWRC/NORTHWEST UTILITIES
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Treatment Plant
Recommended water filters for TAMPA
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Carbon block (NSF/ANSI 42 + 53)
$40-$750Activated carbon is highly effective for disinfection byproducts like TTHM and HAA5.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 67/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
18.4 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 307× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
22.1 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 221× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
31.9 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 213× over |
| Trichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
9.14 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 91× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
26.2 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 66× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
3.83 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 64× over |
| Dichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
9.65 ppb | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 48× over |
| Dibromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
1.04 ppb | 0.03 | — | — | — | — | — | 35× over |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) Radiological |
0.87 pCi/L | 0.05 | 5.0 | — | — | — | — | 17× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
1.18 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 12× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.069 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 3.5× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
253.8 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.2× over |
| Bromoform Disinfection byproduct |
0.577 ppb | 0.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.2× over |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
0.0973 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | Below guideline |
| Chloromethane Other |
0.183 ppb | 2.69 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monobromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
1.06 ppb | 25.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
2.09 ppb | 53.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
14.7 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
1.98 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.312 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum Other |
0.0875 ppb | 40.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) PFAS |
0.938 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) PFAS |
0.375 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.305 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.649 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Nitrite Inorganic |
0.0055 ppm | — | 1.0 | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
HCWRC/NORTHWEST UTILITIES service area
This water system serves 1 community in Hillsborough County, Florida. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for TAMPA water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.