County wells vs. your well
| PBCWUD eastern system | Private well | |
|---|---|---|
| Aquifer | Biscayne Aquifer, about 150 feet | Shallow groundwater, depth varies by well |
| Treatment | Lime softening and ion exchange, filtration, nanofiltration and RO, chloramine | None unless you add it |
| Oversight | Regulated and reported each year | Up to the owner |
The state's 2025 assessment identified 146 potential sources of contamination near the county's eastern wells, with low to moderate susceptibility. Private wells get no such review, which is a good reason to test.
Irrigation wells
Irrigation wells are a common source of complaints. They are not meant for drinking, but they cause visible problems: orange stains on walls, driveways and pool decks, clogged heads and sulfur smells. See orange stains in Greenacres and rotten-egg smells.
Drinking wells: what Florida DOH recommends
- Test for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year.
- Test again after flooding, well repairs, or any change in taste, color or odor.
- Use a certified laboratory for bacteria and other health-related tests.
The Department of Health's private well pages explain sampling and where to find certified labs. After a hurricane or heavy flooding, treat a drinking well as untested until a lab says otherwise.
How a well system is built
- Sediment filtration for sand and particles.
- Iron and hydrogen sulfide reduction, often by oxidation or aeration plus filtration.
- An ion-exchange softener if hardness is high.
- Under-sink RO for drinking water.
- Disinfection equipment where a lab test shows a bacteria concern. See UV vs. RO for well water.
The order of stages matters, which is why the design starts from the test, not a catalog.
Connecting to county water
If your home is on a well and county water is available on your street, ask PBCWUD at 561-740-4600 about starting service. The county's site has a Start/Stop/Change Service page, and its pbcwater.com lookup shows whether an address is in its service area.
What Jorge checks at a well
- Iron, hardness, pH and dissolved solids.
- Hot and cold odor, for hydrogen sulfide.
- Pump flow and pressure, which affect equipment sizing.
- Whether the well feeds the house, the sprinklers or both.
He will tell you when a certified lab test should come first. Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.
https://discover.pbc.gov/waterutilities/PubDoc/CCR_2025.pdf
https://discover.pbc.gov/waterutilities/Pages/Water-Quality.aspx
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/environmental-public-health/water-quality/drinking-water/private-wells/
https://www.floridahealth.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/well-water-facts-odor-staining.pdf
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist