Private Well Water in South Florida: What to Test For and How to Treat It
No utility tests a private well, so keeping the water safe is up to the owner. The Florida Department of Health recommends testing private wells at least once a year for bacteria and nitrate, and again after flooding or any change in taste, smell or color. Most South Florida wells draw from the shallow Biscayne Aquifer, so hardness, iron, sulfur smell and farm runoff are common issues.
Who's on Well Water in Miami-Dade
Most Miami-Dade homes are on city or county water. Private wells are common in the Redland, Homestead's rural edges and other unincorporated agricultural areas. If you don't get a water bill, you're probably on a well.
What to Test For
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Bacteria (total coliform and E. coli): at least once a year and after any flood or repair.
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Nitrate: at least once a year, especially near farms, nurseries and septic systems, and in homes with babies.
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Lead: also recommended by the University of Florida's well owner program.
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Hardness, iron and hydrogen sulfide: the causes of scale, orange stains and rotten egg smells.
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Chloride and sodium: for coastal wells, rising levels can signal saltwater intrusion.
The Department of Health lists certified labs and offers test kits through its county offices.
After a Hurricane or Flood
If floodwater covered your wellhead, don't drink the water. Have the well disinfected, usually by shock chlorination, then retested for bacteria. Use bottled water meanwhile. See our guide to boil water notices and hurricanes.
How Well Water Is Usually Treated
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Sediment and iron filtration for cloudy or rust-stained water.
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Softening for Biscayne Aquifer hardness.
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Disinfection, such as UV, if bacteria is a concern.
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Reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink for nitrate, lead and other dissolved contaminants.
The right setup depends on your results, so test first. See the Hydronex iGen C and the Micromax 8500.
Common Questions
How often should I test my well water in Florida? At least once a year for bacteria and nitrate, plus after any flood, repair or change in taste, smell or color.
Is Homestead on well water? The City of Homestead's utility uses its own wells but treats and tests the water. Homes outside its service area may have private wells, which owners must test.
Where can I get my well water tested in Florida? The Florida Department of Health lists certified labs and offers test kits through its county health department offices.
What should I do if my well tests positive for bacteria? Stop drinking the water, have the well disinfected (usually by shock chlorination), then retest before using it again. Use bottled water meanwhile.
Does Florida regulate private wells? Permits are required to build a well, but once it's in use, testing and treatment are the owner's responsibility.
What filter is best for well water? It depends on your test results. Common setups combine sediment or iron filtration, softening, UV disinfection and reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink.