Who is responsible for what
The Hialeah Gardens Water and Sewer Department delivers Miami-Dade water that is tested under state and federal rules. A well on your property is different. The Florida Department of Health says private well owners are responsible for making sure their own well water is safe to drink, and that Florida has no requirement for routine private well sampling.
Irrigation wells
Many South Florida properties pump sprinkler water from a shallow well. That water is fine for lawns but can carry iron and hydrogen sulfide, which leave orange stains and smells. Remember that Miami-Dade's year-round watering restrictions apply to private wells, canals and lakes too, not only utility water. See orange stains and rotten-egg smell.
Testing a drinking well
| Test | Florida DOH recommendation |
|---|---|
| Coliform bacteria | Every year |
| Nitrate | Every year |
| Lead | Every three years for most homeowners |
| Other tests | Depending on location, depth and condition of the well |
Use a state-certified laboratory for these. Jorge's in-home test covers what drives equipment choices: hardness, iron, pH, dissolved solids and odor.
Building a well system
There is no one-size well system. Based on the test, Living Water's well water systems combine stages such as iron and sulfur treatment, softening and filtration. For drinking water, an under-sink RO can be added in the kitchen. If bacteria are a concern, disinfection is a separate decision; see UV vs. reverse osmosis for well water.
Signs your well needs attention
- A change in taste, smell or color.
- Orange or black staining in toilets, tubs or laundry.
- A rotten-egg smell on cold water.
- Cloudiness after heavy rain or flooding.
- Equipment that keeps failing, such as a water heater full of scale.
Any of these is a reason to test, both with a certified lab for bacteria and with an equipment-focused test for iron, hardness and odor.
Switching from a well to city water
If public water is available on your street and you want to connect, start with the Hialeah Gardens Water and Sewer Department at (305) 822-3017. Some owners keep the well for irrigation only after connecting.
Book a well test
Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974. Jorge tests the well water, explains the results, and recommends a system only if it fits.
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/environmental-public-health/water-quality/drinking-water/private-wells/
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/water/conservation/outdoor-water-restrictions.page
https://www.cityofhialeahgardens.com/departments/water-and-sewer
https://www.cityofhialeahgardens.com/home/showpublisheddocument/3026/639160153849070000
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist