Water Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I  have a water break inside my house, what should I do ?

A.  If possible. turn off the main water valve located outside, then make repairs. You can call 954 597-3750 if you have a problem turning off the water. They will dispatch someone to turn off your water service at the water meter. However, it is the responsibility of the customer to have the leak repaired. City personnel are not allowed to make repairs on the customer's property.

Q. Where does Tamarac's water come from ?

A.  Tamarac's water starts with a safe and reliable groundwater source - the Biscayne Aquifer . Rain seeps through layers of sand, clay and limestone, which filter and purify the water. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals.  We use nineteen wells to pump the water to the Water Treatment Plant - located near the intersection of 61st Street and University Drive.

Q. How is Tamarac's water treated ?

A.  Water from the Biscayne Aquifer is pumped from deep wells to the City's Water Treatment Facility at 7803 NW 61 Street. Although this water is safe to drink, treatment steps at the plant make it better tasting and assure its safety.

1. The first step takes place in a huge mixing unit called an accelator. Here Lime and polymer is added to help make the water more pleasing . Chlorine  is also added to help prevent the growth of bacteria.

2. The next step is Filtration  to remove any sediment in the water.

3. Finally, Fluoride is added to promote dental health.

 When the process is completed, clean, safe drinking water is delivered to our customers.

Q. My water has an odor, what can I do  ?

A.   Many, many smells are not from the City water at all, they are introduced into the water inside the house. Go to an outside spigot --  Turn it on, let it run a few minutes, then smell it.  If it does not smell, we must look further. Go to each of the cold water spigots inside the house, turn it on and let it run a minute; then smell. If this water smells, and the outside, water didn't  -- we found it.-- you must have a device (cartridge filter, water softener, or faucet screen, etc.) in the water line that needs to be replaced, cleaned or sanitized. Also if the hot water side smells, it may be time to drain your hot water heater and refill with fresh water. This is especially true when the hot water has not be used for quite some time.

When one's tap water smells like chlorine it does not mean a danger to the people that drink it. Chlorine is used for disinfection in the treatment process. Chlorine levels used in drinking water are not high enough to form a serious threat to anyone's health

Q. Why is Fluoride added to the water  ?

A.  Water Fluoridation is endorsed by nearly every major health and safety-related organization. Fluoridation of community water supplies is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay and to improve oral health for a lifetime.