Town wells vs. your well
| Town of Lantana wells | Private well | |
|---|---|---|
| Aquifer | East Coast Surficial Aquifer System | Usually the same shallow groundwater |
| Treatment | Aeration, chloramines, filtration, zinc orthophosphate | None unless you add it |
| Testing | Regulated, reported each year | Up to the owner |
The town's 2024 source water assessment found six potential sources of contamination near its wells, with low to moderate susceptibility. Private wells get no such review, which is one more reason to test.
Irrigation wells
Irrigation wells are not for drinking, but they cause the most visible problems: orange stains, clogged heads and sulfur smells. Lantana applies the South Florida Water Management District's year-round irrigation rules to every water source, including wells. Questions about the rules go to the Assistant Utilities Director at 561-540-5758. See orange stains in Lantana.
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.
In a coastal town where storms and high water happen, the after-flooding test is the one people most often skip.
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.
Storms and wellheads
Flooding can carry surface water into a poorly sealed well. After a storm, check that the well cap is intact and the area around the casing drains away from it. If water stood over the wellhead, treat the well water as untested until a certified lab says otherwise, and follow Department of Health guidance on disinfecting and retesting.
Connecting to Town water
If your property is inside the town's service area and you would rather connect than treat a well, ask Customer Service at 561-540-5020 about new service. The town says new service requires a deposit before water is turned on.
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 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://www.lantana.org/214/Annual-Water-Quality-Report
https://www.lantana.org/249/Year-Round-Watering-Restrictions
https://www.lantana.org/222/Water-Service
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