In Florida, we are lucky to have a plentiful source of groundwater. Ground water fills the cracks and pores in sand, soil, and rocks that lie beneath the surface of the earth, much like water saturates a sponge. These saturated layers of earth are called aquifers, and they are the primary source of drinking water in Florida.
Approved Testing Facilities
View the list of certified and approved water testing laboratories.
Due to its protected location underground, most ground water is naturally clean and free of contaminants. Unfortunately, Florida’s aquifers can become contaminated by chemicals and microbes that can cause illness.
- Bacteria and nitrate can reach the ground water and wells through poorly maintained septic systems, livestock areas and fertilizer application, or as a result of poorly constructed wells.
- Chemicals can enter into the groundwater from leaking gasoline storage tanks, pesticide applications, landfills, and improper disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes.
As a private well owner, you should be aware of these potential risks to the ground water and your household water supply.
Private Well Owner’s Guide
About 88% of Florida’s residents are served by public water systems covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The other 12% receive their water from “limited-use” public water systems and private wells.
While all public water systems in Florida are required to perform routine testing to ensure that they meet state drinking water standards, private well owners are responsible for ensuring that their OWN well water is safe to drink.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that consumption of contaminated drinking water has resulted in thousands of cases of illness each year. Contaminated drinking water can cause a number of diseases, and is sometimes fatal. The most common contaminants are microbes and nitrate.
Microbes
Many types of bacteria are generally not harmful, but their presence is an indication that other harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites may be present. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are some of the most common symptoms resulting from drinking water that is contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Nitrate
High levels of nitrate in drinking water can pose an immediate threat to infants , pregnant women, or those with specific health concerns. When consumed, nitrate is known to react with hemoglobin in the blood causing an anemic condition known as the “blue baby syndrome.”
To ensure that your private water supply is safe and healthy, you should understand the importance of maintaining your own well and water system and performing routine water quality tests:
Potential Contaminants
How and When to Test
Test Your Well Water Every Year – It’s Simple and Inexpensive
If you have a private well, the Florida Department of Health strongly recommends that you test your water for bacteria and nitrate at least once per year.
Routine water testing is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to ensure that your water supply is safe and to protect your family’s health. Your local county health department can provide you with instructions on how to collect the water samples yourself and to have them tested (usually $20-30 per sample).
In some cases, local health department staff can come to your home and collect the samples for you, if you wish, for an additional fee (additional $30-40 per visit). Private state-certified laboratories are also available to perform water testing.
While bacteria and nitrate are the most common threats to your drinking water, your water well may also be susceptible to other contaminants. Depending on past and present land-use activities or other sources of contamination in your neighborhood, additional water tests may be recommended by your local health department. In some cases, the health department may be able to do testing for certain toxic substances free of charge. In some counties, testing for naturally occurring radiological contaminants may also be recommended. Be sure to ask your local health department if they recommend that you have your water tested for any other contaminants besides bacteria and nitrate.
Be sure to always use a state-certified laboratory to ensure that the results are accurate. Your local county health department can help you understand your test results and advise you on measures you should take should the results show that your well water is contaminated.
Well Equipment Maintenance
Tenants, Landlords and Business Owners
Floridians should be aware that in Florida, if a well provides water to 2 or more rental residences, or if a well provides water to a home that is used as a day care facility, group home, nursing home, or assisted living facility, then the well is actually considered a public water system, NOT a private well. Also, if a water well serves a business or commercial establishment, it is considered a public water system.
Public water systems are regulated by either the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) under the Safe Drinking Water Act, or the Florida Department of Health (DOH), under section 381.0062, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 64E-8, Florida Administrative Code.
Typically, if a water system serves less than 25 people and less than 15 service connections, then it is regulated by the DOH as a smaller limited use public water system and if it serves more than 25 people or more than 15 service connections, then it is regulated by the DEP as a larger community or non-community water system.
In either case, the owner of a public water system is required to conduct routine water quality testing and to properly maintain and operate the system according to Florida rules. These requirements help to protect residents, employees, and consumers from possible water contamination, and to prevent waterborne diseases.
For questions or concerns about a public water system, please contact theEnvironmental Public Health section at your local county health department.
Information for Businesses, Tenants, Realtors and Landlords
Resources
Ground water and drinking water resources are provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Know the basics of water well systems (from the National Ground Water Association).
Educational and governmental web sites provide additional information for water well owners and consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m buying/selling a house with a well. What testing does the state require?
The state of Florida does not have a requirement for well sampling when private homes are sold. However, our general recommendations are that private water wells be tested for coliform bacteria, nitrates, and lead. Any certified drinking water lab should be able to handle these tests for a reasonable price. Other tests may be useful, depending upon the location, depth, and condition of your well.
I live in a house served by a well. What tests do I have to run?
The state of Florida does not have requirements for routine private home well water sampling. However, we recommend that homeowners test their water for coliform bacteria and nitrates every year. Also, most homeowners should test for lead every three years.
Some of our county health departments are responsible for enforcing local rules requiring testing of newly-constructed wells or repairs. If you live in Brevard, Broward, Citrus, Duval, Flagler, Highlands, Hillsborough, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Sarasota, or Volusia county, you should contact your local DOH office.
Where can I find a list of certified laboratories that can do water testing?
The Department of Environmental Protection maintains a database of certified laboratories.
Please be aware that not every lab on the list will suit your needs. You may need to call several in order to find the right one for you. You should also contact your local county health department, as they are the local experts and may have additional information or contacts.
I rent a house served by a well. What does my landlord have to do?
There are no specific testing requirements for a well serving a single-family home or a structure containing a single rental unit.
Wells serving multiple rental units or commercial property may fall under the limited use public water system rule or Florida’s Safe Drinking Water Act.