Charlotte County Utilities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
(941) 764-4300 ~ (800) 524-3494 ~ TDD: (941) 764-4535
Water Quality
Where does my drinking water come from?
Approximately 95 percent of the drinking water CCU provides its customers is purchased from the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (PR/MRWSA). The PR/MRWSA draws surface water from the Peace River and treats it at a water treatment facility located on Kings Highway in DeSoto County. The plant is staffed 24 hours per day, 365 days a year by state-licensed operators.
CCU customers in the Burnt Store area are served by the County’s Burnt Store Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility, located on Burnt Store Road near the Charlotte/Lee County line. At the Burnt Store facility, groundwater is drawn from wells and treated with reverse osmosis technology.
How safe is my drinking water?
Charlotte County Utilities routinely monitors for constituents in your drinking water, according to Federal and State laws. The employees of CCU work hard, seven days a week and 24 hours per day, to provide your family with clean, reliable, drinking water, each and every day. For information on the content and quality of your drinking water, refer to CCU’s annual Water Quality Reports.
Do you disinfect my drinking water? How?
Yes. We use a mixture of chlorine and Ammonia (Chloramines). This is a widely used method and is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Why is my water pressure low?
Before calling our office, please check to see if any of the following apply:
• Check to see if the house valve is partially closed
• If water pressure is isolated to one section of the house, it may be a problem at the house. In this case, you will need to contact a plumber
• If you have a water softener, try turning on the bypass
• Check the screens in your faucets
• See if your neighbors are also experiencing low pressure
If you still cannot locate the problem, please contact our Dispatcher at (941) 764-4300.
Why does my water taste or smell funny?
There are regional differences in water taste, depending on the water source. New customers may find that CCU water tastes different than the tap water to which they are accustomed. Certain medications may also alter the taste of water. At times, you may detect a slight musty odor in the water caused by occasional algae blooms in the Peace River, but the water is safe to drink. Laboratory analyses are conducted daily to ensure the safety of your drinking water. For more information, please refer to our annual Water Quality Reports.
Odors can also be caused by sediment in your household plumbing, particularly in fixtures that are used only infrequently. Draw a glass of water and take it outside, away from the source, before smelling it. If the glass has no odor, the problem is likely coming from the drain. Try pouring a capful of chlorine bleach down the drain. Wait a few minutes and run the water briefly to flush the drain.
If you still have taste or odor any concerns, contact our office at (941) 764-4300 and select Customer Service for assistance.
Why is my water coming out of the tap warm?
Water temperature at the tap is affected by environmental factors, such as climate, thus, tap water in Florida can never be as cold as tap water in northern climates. If you prefer your water cold, you can refrigerate containers of water for drinking.
Why does my water appear cloudy?
Sudden problems with water clarity may be caused by line breaks or routine system flushing. If only the hot water is affected, your water heater may be the cause. To relieve the situation, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for flushing your water heater. If needed, a CCU technician can check the water at your property. Contact our office at (941) 764-4300 and select Customer Service for assistance.
Is there fluoride in my drinking water?
We do not add fluoride to your drinking water, however, Fluoride is naturally occurring in acceptable levels in Peace River water. For more information, please refer to our annual Water Quality Reports.
What causes water spots on my glassware and silverware?
Water spots are caused by calcium carbonate, which is naturally occurring in water. This is what contributes to water "hardness." CCU's water is moderately hard.
Is it possible that the water may leave stains on my clothes?
Over time, your appliances may rust inside, creating a source that would leave stains on clothes. However, our Technicians will respond to your concern to confirm that CCU water is not the cause. Contact our office at (941) 764-4300 and select Customer Service for assistance.
Is it possible for sand to be in my tap water?
If you find sand in your tap water, please contact our office at (941) 764-4300 and select Customer Service for assistance. Sand in the distribution system is an unusual occurrence. It may be caused by a line break in the water system or in the customer's service connection. Some line breaks may be caused by construction in the area.
When do I need to boil my water?
Boil water notices are issued by CCU from time to time, in coordination with the Department of Health and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, generally due to a drop in water pressure. A boil water notice is NOT notification that your water is contaminated, but is issued as a precautionary measure pending testing results, to ensure the health and safety of our customers.
If water service in your neighborhood is interrupted due to a water main break, you may be advised to boil your water as a precautionary measure for a minimum of one minute before using it for drinking, cooking and ice making. Normally, we try to knock on the doors of all affected customers and leave a notification or a boil water notice on the front door handle. Once the water has been tested and verified that no problem exits, we will rescind the boil water notification in the same manner.
If a large area is affected, CCU will issue a press release advising customers to boil their water. Upon satisfactory completion of a Bacteriological survey showing that the water is safe for consumption, CCU will issue another press release rescinding the boil water notice.
Is my tap water safe during/after a hurricane?
Yes, unless you are notified otherwise through the media or directly by CCU. Listen for regular updates during storm events. If there is any reason for concern about water quality, such as a significant drop in water pressure (below 20 pounds per square inch), CCU will issue a "Boil Water Notice" until a series of tests confirms that it is safe to drink. At that time, CCU will notify affected customers that the boil water notice has been rescinded, using the same notification method as the initial notice.
Where can I have my water tested?
Charlotte County Utilities must, by law, provide tested results of its water content to the public. You may also refer to CCU's annual Water Quality Reports for details on the quality and content of your water. Most independent labs are very expensive, but you can check with the County Health Department.
Do bottled water and tap water differ in terms of quality and safety?
The FDA regulates bottled water as a food product, while the EPA regulates the quality of public water supplies (tap water). To ensure that bottled water is regulated in a manner similar to tap water, the FDA must review all new regulations for tap water to determine if they are applicable to bottled water. If the so, the FDA must propose comparable regulations for bottled water within a specified period of time.
Where does water from vending machines come from?
Normally water vending machines are connected to our system — the same system that delivers water to your tap — with a filtering system of their own.
Could tap water harm my fish?
Because of the chloramines or chlorine used to disinfect drinking water, you may need to treat the water before adding it to your fish tank. Contact CCU to determine which type of disinfectant is used in your area, and for further instructions, contact your pet store.
