Tavares Water Department

Our municipal water system begins with reliable groundwater drawn from the Florida Aquifer. We operate six wells ranging from 223 to 850 feet deep, strategically located across four water treatment facilities throughout town.

Two of our main distribution facilities are equipped with aerators to eliminate hydrogen sulfide, a naturally occurring compound common in Florida water supplies. Our system maintains a 2.5 million gallon capacity, with wells collectively pumping approximately 10,500 gallons per minute.

We treat our water with chlorine and fluoride to maintain quality standards throughout the distribution network and ensure regulatory compliance. Our infrastructure includes fire hydrants, approximately 132+ miles of piping, and roughly 10,500 meters serving potable, irrigation, and reclaimed water connections.

Recent CRA area improvements include replacing aging water lines, hydrants, and service connections to enhance water quality and pressure. In 2014, we installed a booster pump station at Royal Haven subdivision, which has equalized water pressure delivery to homes and improved fire-protection flow capacity.

Important Health Information: Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, some elderly individuals, and infants—may face increased infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their drinking water. The EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminant risks are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or http://water.epa.gov/drink/hotline.

1. Why is my water usage so high? You may not actually be using that much—meter readings can sometimes be difficult to interpret or transposed. You might have an undetected leaky toilet or faucet. Contact our office and we'll help resolve the issue.
2. What should I do if experiencing low pressure? First check your meter and surrounding area for potential leaks. Then call our office to report the low pressure in your vicinity.
3. Why is my water discolored? Recent repairs might have allowed air into the line, causing a milky appearance. This typically resolves quickly.
4. What chemicals are added to our municipal water? We only use chemicals approved by the National Safety Foundation specifically for drinking water treatment.
5. My water tastes, looks, or smells unusual. Is it safe? All public water systems must maintain minimum disinfectant levels by state law (0.2 mg/L chlorine or 0.5 mg/L chloramine). We test these levels daily to ensure safety.
6. Why do particles appear when running hot water? Your water heater likely needs flushing. CAUTION: Most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional. If doing it yourself, carefully follow the owner's manual to avoid injury or damage.
7. Why do I have a previous balance when I sent payment? We may have received it after the due date or not received it at all. Call our office for assistance resolving this issue.