Updated November 1, 2026

How the Hillsborough River becomes Tampa's tap water

Tampa is one of the few large Florida cities that drinks mainly river water instead of groundwater. The David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility treats Hillsborough River water for more than 733,000 people in the city and parts of unincorporated Hillsborough County.

From 8 million gallons to 82 million

The plant has run for more than a century. In 1925 it made 8 million gallons a day for 74,000 people. Today it makes 82 million gallons a day. Several large upgrades are underway:

A $115 million Filters Improvement Project, which will let the department retire filters dating as far back as the 1920s.
A $42 million Chemical Systems Improvement Project, which included an on-site plant that makes the liquid bleach used for disinfection and a sturdier ammonia delivery system.
A $55 million Sitewide Electrical Improvements Project, which upgrades emergency power and electrical systems.
Suspended Ion Exchange (SIX), described in the FAQ below, which will be the first facility of its kind in America and the largest in the world.

Backup supply

The river doesn't carry everything. In 2025 the department also used 980 million gallons of treated Tampa Bay Water supply stored in its aquifers and recovery wells, and about 2.7% of the city's water was bought directly from Tampa Bay Water. Florida's 2025 source water assessment listed 14 potential contamination sources near the system, with susceptibility ranging from low to moderate.

Ozone first, then chloramine

River water can carry Cryptosporidium, a parasite that filtration alone can't be guaranteed to remove completely. After coagulation with ferric sulfate and settling, the clear water is treated with ozone gas. Ozone destroys bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms and breaks down organic molecules, and it's more effective against Cryptosporidium than chlorine-based methods. Chlorine and ammonia are added next (chloramination) to protect the water on its way through the pipes. The report notes that current tests can't tell whether Cryptosporidium organisms in a sample are dead or alive.

Disinfection byproducts stayed modest in 2025. The highest running annual average for HAA5 was 21.44 ppb (limit 60) and for total trihalomethanes 19.00 ppb (limit 80).

Hard water and sodium

Finished water averaged a pH of 7.88 and total hardness of 211 mg/L (12.3 gpg). The department adjusts alkalinity to keep pH near neutral and limit pipe corrosion. Sodium peaked at 51 ppm, well under Florida's 160 ppm standard, which the state sets to protect people with sodium-sensitive conditions. If you're on a restricted diet, mention it to your doctor. Drinking water usually provides less than 10% of total sodium intake. A home softener adds more sodium, so get the size right with the softener sizing calculator.

Lead and copper at the tap

January–June 2025: lead 90th percentile 0.736 ppb, no sites above the action level (range ND–6.32).
July–December 2025: lead 90th percentile 1.5 ppb, one site above the action level (range ND–47.8).
Copper 90th percentiles were 0.287 ppm and 1.12 ppm, with no sites above 1.3 ppm.

With no known lead service lines, that one high reading most likely came from the building's own plumbing. If you live in an older building, a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead is a cheap precaution. Our filter selector can help you pick one.

Tampa water FAQ

Is Tampa water hard?

Yes. The 2025 average was 211 mg/L, or 12.3 grains per gallon, which counts as hard. Expect scale on fixtures and in water heaters. For many households, a softener or at least regular descaling is worth it.

What is SIX and why is Tampa building it?

SIX stands for Suspended Ion Exchange. It's a treatment process the Tampa Water Department is adding at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility to improve water quality and prepare for future EPA rules, including the new PFAS limits. The department says it will be the first SIX facility in America and the largest in the world.

Does Tampa have lead service lines?

As of the report's publication, the department says its distribution system has no lead service lines, no galvanized lines needing replacement, and no lines of unknown lead status. You can check any address in the inventory at tampa.gov/KnowYourPipes. Lead can still come from old fixtures, valves and solder inside a building.

Why does Tampa water sometimes taste different?

The supply isn't always the same mix. The river is the main source, but the city also uses Tampa Bay Water supply stored in its aquifer recovery wells and buys some water directly from Tampa Bay Water, especially in droughts or when demand is high. A change in the mix can shift the taste slightly.

Sources

Reviewed November 1, 2026 against the sources above. Public water system ID FL6290327 (Tampa Water Department). Figures describe the utility's system, not your home's plumbing; a certified lab test tells you what comes out of your tap. Spot an error? Tell us.