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Times Staff WriterIt might soon. The county is adding more disinfectant to combat high bacteria levels.
TAMPA - The drinking water in parts of Hillsborough County may taste a bit different soon, and there's a good reason.
Hillsborough's drinking water supply flunked tests for bacteria in May, but authorities didn't deem the situation serious enough to immediately alert county residents.
The same thing happened in October. Back then, county officials launched an investigation. Now they're taking stronger measures, increasing the amount of disinfectant in the water.
"There's no health risk associated with the disinfectant. It just means your water may smell more like chlorine or taste different," said Celine Hyer, engineering manager for the Hillsborough County Water Department. "It should help kill off any stray bacteria."
Officials say the bacteria is a minimal health risk. The county will soon mail letters to about 110,000 households that say there is no need to boil water or take other protective measures . An immediate warning wasn't issued because follow-up tests, taken within days, showed no problems, Hyer said.
The county routinely tests its drinking water for coliform bacteria, which is generally not harmful but could indicate the presence of more problematic bacteria such as fecal coliform or E. coli. Ingesting those bacteria can lead to serious stomach illnesses.
In May, 6 percent of 120 samples from the county's northwest district and 5.7 percent from the south central district tested positive for coliform. The northwest district includes portions of Carrollwood, Westchase and Town 'N Country. The south central district includes Brandon, Riverview, Ruskin and Sun City Center.
EPA standards state that no more than 5 percent of samples can show the presence of coliform bacteria. Under federal rules, advisory letters must be sent to water customers if more than 5 percent of samples test positive.
"We're concerned, and we're doing some studies," Hyer said. "This is just an indicator there could be something wrong."
After the high bacteria levels in October, the water department launched an investigation that is still ongoing. In response to this latest problem, officials will increase the level of disinfectant in the water from July 28 through Aug. 25.
During that monthlong period, customers may notice changes in the appearance, smell or taste of their water. If this becomes a problem, customers should call the 24-hour water quality line at 264-3835.
Since 1997, positive samples have tripped the 5 percent threshold four times in the northwest district and eight times in the south central district. Until this year, though, federal rules required authorities only to notify the public through newspaper legal notices and in annual consumer reports, not through warning letters.