USF Beta Hall residents voice concerns about chlorine in dorm water

USF’s water, supplied through five groundwater wells and the City of Tampa, is disinfected with chlorine and regulated to maintain levels within legal limits. ORACLE PHOTO/DYLAN SABOL

Brooklyn Grant said she is sensitive to chlorine, a chemical used to disinfect water, as it causes skin irritation and breakouts after she showers.

After she moved from Colorado to Florida in fall 2024, Grant initially believed hair damage and skin irritation were caused by differences in water and climate. 

However, she said her skin irritation has worsened since moving to USF Tampa’s Beta Hall.

“I noticed more damage to my hair almost immediately when I got to USF,” said Grant, a sophomore integrated public relations and advertising major. “I have been getting a lot of bumps on my skin [which is] not normal for me. It also makes my eczema flare up.”

Krystal Sullivan, the director of USF’s Environmental Health and Safety department, said water on the Tampa campus is supplied by five groundwater wells and the City of Tampa Water System, and disinfected with chlorine.

Safe chlorine levels in potable water range from 0.2 to 4 milligrams per liter, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

In 2024, USF Tampa’s chlorine levels ranged from 1.72 to 4.02 milligrams per liter, according to the university’s water quality report.

Sullivan said that water on the Tampa Campus is continuously monitored to ensure it remains within limits set by the Florida Department of Health. 

“While chlorine levels may naturally fluctuate slightly during normal system operations, they remain well within all regulatory requirements,” Sullivan said.

Some USF students said they are frustrated over inconsistencies in water quality across dorms at the Tampa campus and called for stricter regulations and limits.

Related: USF’s Pinnacle Hall flood sparks confusion among residents 

Chlorine is commonly used as a water disinfectant because it kills bacteria and viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

While chlorine helps regulate and disinfect the water supply, short-term exposure over these levels can have toxic effects, such as eye and throat irritation, chest pain and lung injury, according to the CDC.

Grant said she understands chlorine is necessary to clean and disinfect water, but believes there should be more regulations to ensure it is within safe levels.

Due to her sensitivity to chlorine, Grant said she avoids water from USF facilities and instead buys her own bottled water to use for drinking and cooking — spending an estimated $30 more per month since November.

“You should be able to shower without having to worry about what’s in your water, or drink from the water fountain without having to worry about what’s in your water,” Grant said.

Grant said she will live on campus in the Greek Village starting fall 2026 — but expects similar water quality due to campus-wide issues, including pool closures at the Campus Recreation Center.

The USF REC pool closed repeatedly from November to February due to temperature regulation issues caused by high chlorine levels.

“I’m gonna keep my guard up and just kind of expect the same thing, because I feel like most of the water would be the same,” Grant said. “But, I mean, if it’s not, then great.”

Related: USF works to fix heating issues as cold weather hits Tampa 

Erika McCrae, a freshman biology major, also lives in Beta Hall and has noticed some changes in her hair and skin — including more dandruff — since moving in last semester. 

She added that other Beta Hall residents have told her about their own experiences with skin breakouts, brittle, damaged hair and skin irritation. 

“A lot of students agree that the water at USF is gross and way too hard, so they don’t enjoy using it,” McCrae said. “A lot of people still feel dirty after showering due to all the buildup in it.”

McCrae said she and other Beta Hall residents are not comfortable using tap water in the dorms for drinking and instead opt for bottled water and additional filtration. 

“A lot of students also don’t drink the water, even from the fountains,” she said. “It is [the water] impacting them by making them more sensitive to [chlorine] and by making them have to go out and buy water.”

McCrae said she feels USF should take additional steps to ensure lower chlorine levels in dorms to minimize inconsistencies across campus. 

“I personally think that USF should be doing more by adding better filters to shower heads and pipes,” she said.