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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 34609 Water Quality & Testing Report

Spring Hill, FL · Hernando County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 34609 (Spring Hill, FL)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 34609 (Spring Hill, FL) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by Hernando Company Utl-west, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (76/100) with 0 health violations, 3.8 ppb lead, and hard (162 mg/L / 9.5 GPG) water.

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

17

Lead Risk

Low

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 34609

Tap water in ZIP code 34609 (Spring Hill, FL) is distributed by Hernando Company Utl-west (EPA ID: FL6277059), serving approximately 145,204 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of B with a composite quality score of 76/100.

Water System

Hernando Company Utl-west

EPA ID: FL6277059

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

145,204 residents

County

Hernando County County, Florida

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Lead Levels in ZIP 34609

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 3.8 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 34609 is 3.8 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 34609 is rated Low. EPA models estimate a 20% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
3.80 ppb (0.0038 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Low
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

20%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Hard9.5 GPG · 162 mg/L

Water in ZIP 34609 is Hard (162 mg/L / 9.5 GPG). Residents may notice white mineral spots on glassware, reduced soap efficiency, and mineral scale on faucets and showerheads.

Recommendation: An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

9.5 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

162 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Interactive Water Safety & Filter Matcher

Personalized for ZIP 34609 (Spring Hill, FL)

Free Tool

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Hernando Company Utl-west · PWSID: FL6277059

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Hernando Company Utl-west has recorded 17 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions). 10 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
17
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
10
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
High

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated High based on past reporting and enforcement records.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 34609 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 3 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$0
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

1.99%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 34609

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 34609 served by Hernando Company Utl-west can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in FL for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 34609 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Hernando Company Utl-west
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

🚰

NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 34609 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 34609?+
Yes — tap water in 34609 (Spring Hill, FL) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 34609 (Spring Hill, FL)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 34609, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in FL. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Florida Department of Environmental Protection for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 34609?+
Tap water in 34609 is classified as Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 162 mg/L (9.5 GPG). An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Should I test private well water in 34609?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 34609 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 34609 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 34609 is 3.8 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 34609?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 34609. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 34609?+
Tap water in ZIP code 34609 is provided by Hernando Company Utl-west (EPA ID: FL6277059), serving approximately 145,204 residents.
What water filter should I use in 34609?+
Based on water metrics for 34609, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 34609 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Hernando Company Utl-west. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →