Private wells vs. the county wellfield
Don't confuse a backyard well with WASD's supply. WASD's capital plan includes a multi-phase rehabilitation of the Miami Springs Wellfield, one of the county's 14 wellfields that feed its treatment plants. That water is treated at the plants before it reaches you. A private well on your property gets no treatment at all.
Drinking well or irrigation well?
| Drinking well | Irrigation well | |
|---|---|---|
| Supplies | Taps and showers | Sprinklers |
| Common issues | Odor, iron, hardness, taste | Orange stains, sulfur smell outdoors |
| Lab testing | Bacteria and nitrate yearly | Usually iron and pH |
| Treatment | Whole-home well system | Iron treatment on the irrigation line |
No WASD bill but running water indoors? You're likely on a private drinking well.
What Florida recommends
- Private well owners are responsible for making sure their well water is safe to drink.
- Test for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year.
- When buying or selling a home, test for coliform bacteria, nitrate and lead; most homeowners should test for lead every three years.
- Bacteria and nitrate can reach wells from poorly maintained septic systems, fertilizer or poorly built wells.
Those are certified-lab tests. Jorge's assessment adds hardness, iron, odor, pH and dissolved solids, which decide equipment.
The Department of Health also suggests asking your county health department about extra tests based on land use near your well.
Why the shallow aquifer matters
The Biscayne Aquifer lies just below ground level, according to Miami-Dade, which is why the county works to protect it. The city's stormwater page says the same in its own words, warning that what goes into the ground water today can end up in your water tomorrow. For a private well owner, that's the case for regular testing.
How a well system is built
A well water system follows the test: sediment first, then iron and sulfur treatment, then softening, then any drinking-water stage, each protecting the next. Compare UV vs. reverse osmosis for well water.
Skipping sediment or iron pre-treatment usually shortens the life of everything downstream.
Book a test
Bring any past lab results; they show whether the water has changed. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
Jorge tests at the wellhead and indoors, then tells you what equipment, if any, makes sense.
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/environmental-public-health/water-quality/drinking-water/private-wells/
https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/water/documents/2025-2031-capital-budget-multi-year-plan.pdf
https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/water/documents/reports/2025-annual-report.pdf
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/water/water-supply-and-treatment.page
https://www.miamisprings-fl.gov/publicworks/page/storm-water
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/water/conservation/outdoor-water-restrictions.page
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist