Utility water vs. a private well
| PBCWUD Western Region | Private well | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Floridan Aquifer, 1,000 to 1,200 ft | Depends on the well; often much shallower |
| Treated? | Yes, at the western plant, then chlorinated | Only if you treat it |
| Tested and reported? | Yes, annual Water Quality Report | Only if you test it |
Your bill tells you which you have. No PBCWUD bill usually means a well.
Kinds of wells around Belle Glade
- Private drinking wells on properties not connected to PBCWUD.
- Irrigation wells for lawns and landscaping, never meant for drinking.
- Business or agricultural wells for washing, equipment or other non-drinking uses.
Each has a different purpose, and the treatment, if any, should match it.
Shallow wells respond to rainfall and flooding faster than the deep Floridan Aquifer that PBCWUD uses. That is one reason the Florida Department of Health recommends retesting after flooding. Keep the well cap sealed and the area around it clear, and note when the well was last serviced.
Step 1: lab test for bacteria and nitrate
The Florida Department of Health recommends testing private drinking wells at least once a year for bacteria and nitrate, using a certified lab or county health department sample kit, and again after flooding, well repairs or changes in taste, color or smell. These results decide whether disinfection belongs in your system.
Step 2: treatment screening
Jorge's free in-home test measures what drives equipment choices: iron, hardness, pH, TDS and signs of hydrogen sulfide. He also looks at the pump, pressure tank and where equipment can go.
Bring the well's depth and age if you know them. Results from a shallow well can differ a lot from a neighbor's, so your own numbers matter.
How a well system is built
- Iron and sulfur removal, typically oxidation plus filtration.
- Softening, if hardness causes scale problems.
- Carbon for taste and odor.
- Disinfection, such as UV, when lab results call for it. Compare UV vs. RO for well water.
- Optional under-sink RO for drinking water.
Living Water configures its well water system from the test.
Maintenance matters as much as equipment: media backwash, filter changes, salt for softening stages and periodic retesting. Ask for a written schedule with the quote.
Connecting to PBCWUD instead
If a PBCWUD main is near your property, ask the utility about connection. PBCWUD's report points residents to PBCWATER.COM to look up their utility. Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.
https://discover.pbc.gov/waterutilities/PubDoc/CCR_2025.pdf
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/public-health-laboratories/laboratory-services/environmental-laboratory-services/well-water-testing/
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist