Bacteria In Tampa Bay Water: From Coliform Bacteria to Algae Blooms, Should You Be Concerned?

Bacteria is present in nearly all freshwater sources — but it also is prevalent in the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa Bay is no exception. But is this a concern for your drinking water? Whether you have a private well or spring, or municipal water, most of these contaminants are successfully eliminated and disinfected using chlorination, chloramines or UV treatment.

The bacteria that lives in Tampa Bay isn’t always the type of bacteria that is discussed when it comes to infiltrating your water system. But they all significant impacts and pose health risks. However, a number of issues can arise that allow bacteria and viruses to infiltrate your water supply, including runoff, septic systems, animals and poor well/spring construction. Additionally, algae blooms can cause other tap water issues unrelated to bacteria.

The four major concerns when it comes to Tampa Bay bacteria are:

We will explore all of them, which ones are a concern in your drinking water, and which are not.

Coliform bacteria are a group of microorganisms commonly found in the environment, including soil, vegetation, and the intestinal tracts of animals. In the context of water quality, they are crucial indicators. Their presence in water bodies, such as Tampa Bay, often signals contamination and the potential presence of harmful pathogens. Tampa Bay, a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico, is not just a recreational and aesthetic asset but also an ecological cornerstone.

In September 2023, two beaches were closed because of fecal matter in the water and bacteria risk. However, this was never an issue with the local drinking water.

Coliform bacteria is most likely found in rural farming areas, as bacteria commonly found in soil, plants, and animals.

One of the primary sources of coliform bacteria in Tampa Bay is urban runoff. Heavy rains can wash contaminants from urban areas into the bay, including bacteria from pet waste and leaky sewage systems. Occasional sewage spills exacerbate this problem, leading to higher levels of bacterial contamination.

Agricultural activities in the Tampa Bay watershed also contribute to the presence of coliform bacteria. Runoff from farms, carrying manure and other waste, can introduce these bacteria into the water system. Furthermore, natural sources, such as wildlife, are also contributors, although their impact is typically less significant compared to human activities.

Coliform bacteria is most common in well water systems, which are not regulated by municipalities. Symptoms of coliform contamination in humans often resemble those of gastrointestinal illnesses, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. The presence of coliform bacteria may cause your well water to have an unusual taste or odor. If you notice any of these signs, stop using your water supply, go to the store to buy bottled water, and get your water tested immediately – Culligan can usually be at your home within 24 hours.

Yes, there are filters specifically designed to remove coliform bacteria from water — starting with Culligan’s reverse osmosis or whole house water filtration systems. For well water, ultraviolet (UV) purifiers are also highly effective as they kill bacteria by disrupting their DNA.

Removing coliform bacteria from well water typically involves a combination of disinfection methods and preventive measures. Shock chlorination is a common method where a high concentration of chlorine is added to the well to kill bacteria. After chlorination, it’s important to flush the system thoroughly.

Installing a reverse osmosis filter, whole house water filter or UV filtration device can provide ongoing protection. Regular testing and maintenance of the well and water system are also crucial to prevent recontamination (it’s recommended you test your well every six months). Additionally, sealing any cracks in the well casing and ensuring proper drainage around the well can help keep coliform bacteria out of your water supply.

Algae blooms, particularly the notorious “red tides” in Tampa Bay, present a significant ecological and health challenge. These blooms are primarily caused by the rapid multiplication of microscopic algae, with Karenia brevis being the most infamous due to its toxin-producing capability.

While many modern water treatment facilities are equipped to handle a variety of contaminants, including some algal toxins, the presence of these toxins can complicate treatment processes. In some cases, additional treatment steps may be required to ensure the water meets safety standards. Even if toxins are effectively removed, algal blooms can cause taste and odor issues in the treated water, which, while not necessarily health-threatening, can be unpleasant for residents. This is usually the result of added amounts of chlorine or chloramines to the water supply to compensate for the bacteria.

These blooms can potentially impact residential water quality, but this largely depends on the source of the residential water and the treatment methods used. If a residential area’s water supply comes from surface water sources (like lakes or rivers) that are affected by algae blooms, there could be impacts on water quality. Algal blooms can produce toxins that are difficult to completely remove through standard water treatment processes.

The impact of Vibrio vulnificus on residential water quality is generally limited, primarily because this bacterium is found in coastal and brackish waters, not typically sources for residential drinking water. Because of this, the risk of this bacterium contaminating residential drinking water is very low.

For those living in coastal areas with private wells, especially shallow wells, there might be a slightly higher risk, particularly if the well is not properly maintained or if there’s been flooding that could introduce seawater into the well. Regular testing and proper maintenance are important in these cases.

Turbidity is the apt descriptor of cloudy water with suspended solids. While the water itself is not harmful to humans, the suspended solids can act as an impediment to the disinfection process and provide an ideal environment for microbial growth.

The best way to tell if there is bacteria in your water is always to have it tested, although there are signs to recognize if you suspect you might have a problem with your water:

Even if your water shows no outward signs of contamination, make it a habit to test your water at least once a year. If you use well water, test it biannually to ensure your supply is safe. You should also schedule a water test any time you do septic repairs or upgrades.

While some of the common bacteria can be treated by boiling water, like giardia and cryptosporidium, others are more difficult to eliminate from drinking water. In those cases, you’ll want to be sure you’re treating water with a reverse osmosis filtration system to effectively remove problematic bacteria.

To protect yourself and your family from bacteria found in tap water, there are several options to choose from —whether you want filtration just at the kitchen sink, or a whole house of filtered water free from bacteria.

The type of treatment you need can depend on a variety of factors. Another common form of disinfection technology is UV. Culligan’s UV Disinfection System within its whole home UV water purification solution can be added to your filter or softener to eliminate 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, mold and other waterborne contaminants such as protozoa.

Sometimes, positive bacteria tests are a result of one-time contamination and may only require shock chlorination treatment. This requires a coliform bacteria test, followed by a period of retesting over a two- to three-month period. If this does not work, a more permanent solution is in order.

For private springs, shock chlorination rarely works, as water runs through the spring too quickly to contact the chlorine needed to eliminate the bacteria.

Total Coliform – Coliform are a naturally-occurring and usually benign bacteria very common in the environment. While not always an indication of a problem in your water, they can signal that other types of coliforms, like fecal coliforms, could be in the supply. Read more below.

Fecal Coliform – As its name might suggest, fecal coliform indicates water has been contaminated by human or animal waste, commonly as a result of heavy runoff near agricultural areas. Fecal coliform contamination can cause stomach issues when in- gested, ranging from mild upset for young and healthy people to more severe symptoms for children, expecting mothers, the elderly, and those who may already be immunocompromised.

E.coli – Having made its share of headlines, E.coli may be the most recognizable bacteria in water. As a form of fecal coliform bacteria, E.coli in water presents the same symptoms and is generally caused the same way (agricultural runoff, septic system malfunction, well or water infrastructure breakdown). Some forms of E.coli can be more serious than general fecal coliforms, especially for vulnerable members of the population.

Legionella – Legionella is also a commonly occurring bacteria. It becomes problematic when it’s aerosolized — or airborne — as it would if you were using legionella contaminated water for an air conditioning unit, or to shower with (where legionella bacteria would form steam that could then be inhaled). Like coliform contamination, legionella contamination typically occurs through breakdowns in water infrastructure and/or during storms, floods, or other periods of increased runoff.

Giardia & Cryptosporidium – Found all over the world, giardia and cryptosporidium are a parasites that cause severe stomach upset when ingested. They are also closely associated with poor sanitation, waste-contaminated, or otherwise untreated water, and can be caused when runoff near agricultural areas exceeds the capacity of water infrastructure and treatment.

Campylobacteriosis is the most common bacterial cause of diarrhea in the U.S, and affects nearly 1% of the population every year, according to the CDC. Salmonella has been known to cause waterborne disease for more than 100 years. These come from the intestines of humans and animals.

These diseases are found in private wells from sewage malfunctions, runoff, and flooding in wells that are shallow, have been bored or dug, or flooded for longer periods of time. There is no filter that has been certified to remove campylobacter or salmonella.

Contact your local state certification officer if your water tests positive for them, and boil your water.

Bacteria can also cause aesthetic issues. Iron-eating bacteria leaves behind waste deposits, causing sludge in your bathroom and kitchen fixtures. It also can react with hydrogen sulfide to cause the rotten egg smell you may be familiar with in your drinking water.

Bacteria is not always a persistent contaminant. It may the issue of a one-time contamination caused by a faulty well cap, new pump installation or surface runoff from heavy rainfall.

The issue can be a seasonal occurrence, as bacteria naturally thrives in warmer environments, all of these issues can be more prevalent in the spring and summer months.

While water bacteria are most often an issue affecting those who use well water, it’s not uncommon for municipal supplies to experience occasional issues with bacteria. It can be an issue during periods of heavy rain or runoff, which often impacts reservoirs and existing water treatment infrastructure.

With all the precautions being taken to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus thru social distancing, one concern could have been coronavirus in your tap water.

More than one hundred different species of viruses can spread through water that can lead to diseases in humans — including hepatitis, gastroenteritis, meningitis, fever, rash, and conjunctivitis. But viruses, along with bacteria, are high on the regulation hit list for any water treatment plan. This means most bacteria and viruses don’t have a chance to reach your tap.

Furthermore, the CDC posted a bulletin regarding the issue of coronavirus in water:

“The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”

Based on this information, the CDC has determined that coronavirus has not been detected in tap water.

It wouldn’t be unprecedented to have a water issue with coronavirus — albeit these problems are typically not related to drinking water. The last major coronavirus outbreak, SARS, was found to be living in contaminated raw sewage for 2 to 14 days.

But the CDC, WHO and EPA cite traditional water treatment methods as a way to get rid of any coronavirus concerns. This would include:

Other sources where treatment is done by private well owners are more susceptible to contamination. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a virus is lurking in your well. While well water can be a source for bacteria to reside if untreated, there are few instances of anecdotal evidence supporting the presence of viruses in private well water.

“Generally, if a virus gets in a well, it’s an extreme situation, like flooding” said Gary Falkengren, a water treatment specialist with Culligan International for nearly three decades.